Posted by Kromey at 3:20pm Aug 10 '11Not really sure what to make of this one yet, but I'll share it anyway.
The short version is that under obviously wrong pretenses of protecting the island's ecosystem, the government will be slaughtering Santa Rosa Island's entire populations of Roosevelt elk and Kaibab mule deer. Interestingly, PETA and HSUS are sitting by silently while the government completely eradicates these non-native species that are clearly not causing harm to the ecosystem, which is rebounding since the domesticated cattle and sheep and feral hog populations have been removed.
Now I generally am in favor of fighting against non-native invasive species, but to me an "invasive species" necessarily must be one that is causing damage to the local ecosystem -- which these elk and deer are clearly not. True, they are not native to the island, but does that in and of itself mean they have to be eliminated?
I don't really know anything about these species or this island beyond what's in this one article, but I'll be looking them up as time permits; meanwhile, if anyone does have more information, please share!
The short version is that under obviously wrong pretenses of protecting the island's ecosystem, the government will be slaughtering Santa Rosa Island's entire populations of Roosevelt elk and Kaibab mule deer. Interestingly, PETA and HSUS are sitting by silently while the government completely eradicates these non-native species that are clearly not causing harm to the ecosystem, which is rebounding since the domesticated cattle and sheep and feral hog populations have been removed.
Now I generally am in favor of fighting against non-native invasive species, but to me an "invasive species" necessarily must be one that is causing damage to the local ecosystem -- which these elk and deer are clearly not. True, they are not native to the island, but does that in and of itself mean they have to be eliminated?
I don't really know anything about these species or this island beyond what's in this one article, but I'll be looking them up as time permits; meanwhile, if anyone does have more information, please share!
Highjacking the Flag of Conservation - Kromey