Feral pigs are a major factor in the tragic, unbelievably high rate of
species extinctions in Hawaii-- for both birds and plants. Historically,
Hawaii had NO mammal species - except for one insectivorous bat.
Therefore, native Hawaiian species have no defenses against grazing
mammals. Because native plants have no protective thorns, distastefulness,
etc. etc. feral pigs feed on them preferentially, and the plants are
disappearing. The pigs also create wallows, or pits in the forest for
mud-bathing, and these wallows (not found in pre-pig days) are the primary
breeding grounds for introduced mosquitoes. These mosquitoes carry avian
malaria (also introduced), which has decimated Hawaiian birds. Control of
feral pig populations is absolutely vital to conserving what's left of
Hawaii's precious, fragile, and unique ecosystem. Many of Hawaii's species
are (or were) found nowhere else in the world.
Snares have been modified to kill quickly. It is to the biologist's
advantage if the pig is killed quickly, because that minimizes disturbance
to the surrounding vegetation. Also, it is to the biologist's advantage to
check snares often - and many are checked daily - because in this way, more
pigs are removed from the forest.
I am against needless suffering of animals and agree with many of PETA's
positions. However, when extinctions and severe endangerment result from
introduced species, I believe the non-native animals must be removed as
humanely as possible. This is precisely what TNC is doing in Hawaii. One
final note-- when considering the suffering of animals in Hawaii, you have
to add in the birds dying from malaria...it is not a pleasant way to go at
all.
Sue Daniels
VPISU Biology
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
