Hello All! It has been awhile since I last posted once again, I know I'm really bad with that :) So I’ve finally reached a point
where I feel like I can make a post with some of my views on current
world events regarding our ecosystem and animal species.
As most of you know, Cecil the Lion in
Zimbabwe was hunted illegally by a U.S Dentist and was shot with a
bow and arrow that did not kill him immediately but instead
wounded the majestic lion and he bled
out over 40 hours as they tracked him through the night and finally
shot him to finish him off. They then cut off his head and skinned
the lion and left
what is remaining to be eaten by
scavengers in an area that was supposed to be off limits for hunting
to begin with.
Many of us are animal
conservationists or pet lovers and could not imagine doing something
like this to any animal and the outraged has shown as the hunter’s
Dentist clinic was forced to shut down
and he had to go into hiding due to the
response by animal rights protesters. Depending on the views of each
particular person, some of this can be viewed as extreme or needed in
the eyes of many of us.
My personal belief is that Hunting to
manage populations (which helps limit the spreads of certain disease
in some species) and to provide food on the table at home is the only
reasons that I can
see as one who enjoys nature and the
animals who fill it would be acceptable. Believe it or not a lot of
the licenses and permits used by normal hunters who are providing for
their families actually fund a large percentage of Conservation work
done around the world to preserve threatened
and endangered species and their habitats.
However trapping, poisoning, aerial
shooting and trophy hunting is despicable and showcases the depths
that we can go as a race to destroy and kill for our personal
enjoyment.
In regards to trophy hunting I believe
that this should be banned as the thought of paying large sums of
money to go and kill majestic predators and exotic species in
different countries to stuff their heads and hang them on the wall for an ego boost
is unimaginable for me. Why? I asked my wife at one of our dinners
lately, “Why would someone wake up and say, I want to pay 50,000
dollars to go to Africa and hunt a lion for my wall.” It is honestly so hard for me to see
how many elephants and rhinos are being killed for their horns, how
many whales and sharks are being slaughtered illegally in our waters
and the governments aren’t taking enough drastic measures to stop
it.
Also the Endangered Species Act is
being the target on a daily basis of attacks from Congress and the
Senate to try and dismiss its power and remove animals that have not
fully recovered. We also see large scale competition hunts for
Coyotes, wolves and
other predators, where even families go
out and kill in masses to see if they can get the most in a select
time period. It is one of the most horrific and barbaric sights one
can see where rows of animals are lined up or placed in piles or hung
up like clothes.
We need to call
and write to our representatives, senators and local government to
support Anti-Poaching and Illegal Animal trade Laws, establish
correct TNR procedures in our communities and end the cruelty
regarding the use of animals for Circuses and sideshow events, as
well as exotic pet ownership being banned. We can no longer afford to
have reservations unpatrolled and people freely able attack
endangered species when they are supposed to be protected.
Beliefs on conservation vary and it’s
difficult for humans to get together on a common level as some are
too sensitive and others seem to have no emotion. I see the same
people who complain about people not taking care of dogs and cats in a correct manner, being the same
ones who post and support organizations like PETA who kill thousands
of animals every year(Google if you don’t know). You can’t afford
to be hypocrites in the fight on animal welfare, and its important
that we don’t lose support of the general population by acting to
extreme over issues that may not be extreme, its just your
personality to go all out. Posting hate mail and acting crazy will
not help us get closer to our goal. We need to start educating the
youth and the other younger generations on the importance of the environment
and the animals within it. Please check back for future posts and
articles!
