Hi All,
I work in threatened species conservation so I agree with Susan Daniels
completely on the devastating impacts that can be caused by feral
species. However, I am interested to learn more about a couple of things
that Susan touched on in her reply. Can Susan or anyone else tell me;
1. What sort of modifications were done to these snare traps which
enable them to "kill quickly"?
2. Who and how was the justification made that suffering may be caused
to one species because another species is endangered? Following this
line of thought I would think that there would be ample justification
for bumping off quite a few among the human species given our impacts
around the world.
What I believe is a really dangerous point of view coming from humans
(and an inexcusable one) is that we believe that we can make relative
decisions on other species to cause them pain and suffering in the name
of "conservation". This certainly isn't my idea of good conservation and
by this stage of the 20th century I believe we have the technology
available to ensure that animals don't suffer (I refuse to say
needlessly because I don't agree that there is any "needed" suffering.
The availability of technology isn't the problem - it's the persistence
of some attitudes, particularly the ones which always seem to pop up
around the time funding decisions are made on feral pest programs
funding.)
I don't have any problem with the fact that introduced species need to
be removed or killed to ensure the conservation of native species, the
underlying premise for me, however, is that no animal "deserves" to be
caused pain or suffering.
>From my personal point of view - at least the feral animals and plants
generally did NOT make a conscious decision to migrate across oceans
(pigs in Hawaii, possums in New Zealand, foxes cats and dogs in
Australia - I don't think any of these wanted to conquer the world) -
what excuse do humans have?
Fi
----------
From: Susan Daniels
To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT
Subject: feral pigs in Hawaii
Date: Friday, 31 October 1997 11:29PM
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]
