Comments on: Can hunting endangered animals save the species?
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- There was very poor reporting in this piece, or poor editing if indeed the right questions were asked but never aired. Specifically, how do they select which animals will be shot; is it by chance or choice? And if choice, then presumably the fittest (biggest trophies) are killed, which is opposite of natural selection and what biologically is best for the species. As a wildlife photographer, I can assure you there are more photographers in the country than hunters; letting them pay to photograph wildlife (if they can't afford to travel to Africa) is a viable money-making alternative. And the fact remains that these animals are living in a finite, fenced space, so the issue of "fair chase" is at some point a joke. These are not wild animals in a natural habitat; it's a cross between a zoo and a shooting range. It might be profitable, but it is not ethical.
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- The reality is that, in Africa, the countries that promote hunting tourism have provided for the recovery and survival of many species. In contrast, those African countries that have outlawed sport hunting have the worst problems with poaching and the decline/extinction of species. By attaching a monetary value to animals, there is an incentive, and the means, to pay for game wardens. A good example is South Africa. The game ranches in SA have been so successful, that they are repopulating those countries after decimation by poaching. The point to remember here is that the hunting is regulated and controlled. Using the above model, Several countries have started to reverse the decline in their wildlife. In fact, In North America, there are other examples of this model for game preservation working. When President Teddy Roosevelt, a hunter, established the first game wardens in the US, our wildlife populations were being decimated by market hunters who were shipping hides and venison to Europe. Regulated hunting seasons, enforced by game wardens, whose salaries were paid in part by hunting licenses, allowed for the return of our wildlife. Another example is Ducks Unlimited, who through their fundraising, have provided for the preservation of breeding habitat for waterfowl. The hunting community has a long history of preserving species for future generations. The American Bison did not decline as a result of sport hunting. It was market driven slaughter for their hides; --quite a different thing.
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- I have been a faithful watcher of 60 Minutes for many years and usually enjoy your program and appreciate the insights presented. However, I was extremely disappointed in last night's segment on hunting endangered animals at the ranches in Texas. Animals such as the oryx shown are already 'extinct in the wild'. I don't understand the argument for saving them. Saving them for what, a source of entertainment and income?? Is this a valid reason to 'save' a species when not even one of these animals can be found in their indigenous habitats. How do we define 'save'? I recently visited many places in the world where populations of endangered animals are being looked after and protected in their native lands, ex. gorillas in Uganda, orangatans in Borneo, etc. Those are valid efforts to save a species from extinction, not penning them up and reproducing them for income and entertainment. When you give a species the dignity of protecting it for the benefit of its own existence in the wild where it belongs, then you could lay a valid claim to saving it. Otherwise, please don't insult my intelligence with your bogus claims.
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- Animal rights activists are just as rabid, if not more so, as trophy hunters. They should quit meddling in something which has been proven to work, and work well. Now, because of the interference from Ms Feral and others like her, the whole program will fail, a very sad fact.
What you failed to mention, though, is what happens to the meat? I am hoping it is consumed and enjoyed by humans! - Reply to this comment
- Reading a lot of these responses...there are a lot of people who have the concepts of "conservation" confused with "preservation".
In the traditional debate in a U.S. land-management context, "conservation" is the use and exploitation of the land in a sustainable way; a synonym might be "manage". "Preservation" is the protection of the land that limits use, in order to maintain a pristine condition; a synonym might be "protect".
or
Conservation: the preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources;an occurrence of improvement by virtue of preventing loss or injury or other change.
Preservation: the activity of protecting something from loss or danger;a process that saves organic substances from decay; the condition of being (well or ill) preserved
Sorry, but these were the best examples I could find to explain the differences.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_conservation_and_preservation#ixzz1kyeRMqm5
If these landowners are forced quit hunting these animals then they may look to send them back to Africa, why let them consume valuable resources on the ranch that can be used for other purposes (to make a living). Sent back to Africa and in several years there will be fewer left than there are now; Africa has shown it doesn't already have the resources to preserve these animals if it did they wouldn't be near extinction there. - Reply to this comment
- How can breeding for killing be justified? (Not just endangered species but also cattle, sheep, etc.) I cannot fathom killing for "sport."
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- I was disappointed that no one in this story made the point that there were no predators to naturally balance the population of these animals. So, this is like deer hunting in my home state of West Virginia. Certainly these species are not native to Texas and are an invasive species. However, considering their status as endangered; should we make an exception? I do not feel that hunting them is less humane than a slaughter house or predation.
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- How does Ms. Feral propose to care for the 6-10,000+ exotic animals that she is condemning to be of no value to raise in Texas? Texas ranchers must have some way to preserve land, care and feeding of these animals if she expects them to survive. Does she intend to ship them all back to her game reserve in Africa that has been built for 175 animals? How do those numbers justify what she is doing? She says she would prefer the animals go extinct than to have the species perpetuated in Texas. Would she be OK if they were being raised in New York or Michigan? That's what I hear from her..."as long as it's not in Texas." How does she intend to provide for their well-being and protection in Africa? What's her long-range plan to perpetuate these species? Or is she just concerned with making sure they are hunted, then she is fine with the species dying out? How caring and humane is that? Doesn't sound like a Friend that I would want to have.
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- People need to realize why species go extinct. Any biologist will tell you that species go extinct because of loss of habitat. In Africa lands that where once for wildlife are being turned into farmland and urban development. Hunting does not lead to species going extinct. Poaching doesn't even lead to extinction. The best way to allow these animals to keep living is to allow them to have a habitat to live. I think these animals would be happy living in Africa or Texas or both.
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- well, they're gonna die somehow, would it warm your heart to know that the oryx could be killed by a pack of cape hunting dogs and torn limb from limb and eaten when still alive, or perhaps starving and suffering from disease for months on end. all the "don't Kill the animals" people here commenting have no concept on the realities and circle of life and it isn't how disney presents it. it's cold, heartless, and very very tough in the wild, something most bunny huggers and PETA people never ever experience or know anything about.
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