NATIONAL BUTTERFLY RELEASE - CONTINUED

[Roger C. KENDRICK]

Tatoosh (Hans Schnauber) wrote:
> 
> Today I had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Bob Flanders with the USDA
> and Mr. Dan Hillburn of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
> 
> Mr. Flanders thought it would be wise to mention to the leps group that
> I will not be involved with any interstate transportation of Monarchs.
> In other words I will not be crossing any state lines with Monarchs from
> other areas or gene pools.
> 
> Mr. Hillburn has no problem with what I am doing as I continue to follow
> state and federal guidelines.

These points only illustrate the need for a better understanding of what
species population dynamics are about and the need for better
understanding of habitat conservation as well as species conservation.
(without habitat you get no species)
 
> Mentioning that, I would like to thank the group for awakening my mind
> to the fact that in the United States we need a breeder from each state
> as a contact person to direct people when considering a release of any
> size or porportion.  That way, we are not disturbing the status quo.
> This should take care of any concerns for those involved in the DNA
> issue.  If you would like to be the contact breeder in your state or
> country, please let me know.

Wasting precious resources!!

> I am sure that some people will still be upset with the course we will
> continue to take.  However, when involved in any endeavor, 100% of the
> participants will never come to total agreement.  For that I am sorry.

Hans - most INFORMED people would rather you spent your time and money
on HABITAT CONSERVATION: the only way of ensuring habitats for
butterflies and all other wildlife survive destruction in the short term
is by stopping other people, companies and so on from destoying it is by
buying it for nature conservation. If there is nowhere left for the
butterflies to go what's the point of wasting time and money on trying
to breed them through (a.k.a. the Essex Emerald recovery program in the
U.K. which has finally ceased due to lack of available habitat to
reintroduce bred stock, resulting in inbred stock that now has become
infertile and thus has died out in captivity as well as in the wild).


> For the record, I do not breed, rear, sell or trade butterflies.  As
> some have said, I am only concerned with public awareness for what is
> being done.  Yes, you may call the National Butterfly Release a public
> awareness publicity stunt, if you must.

Whilst I agree that public awareness must be increased, I fell this is
not an appropriate project, as the validity of the science behind it
does not appear to have a leg to stand on.
 
> There is a slogan that is very appropriate... "If we continue to do the
> same things, the same way, will we not get the same results."  Isn't it
> time we try a new thing for a new time?

As you said in a previous Leps-L posting this kind of approach has been
around a long time!!!!! Need I say more?

> Have a great day!

Will do, and best regard for your increased understanding of hoe the
natural world really works.

Roger Kendrick

________________________________________________
Roger C. KENDRICK
PhD student & Demonstrator, Dept of Ecology & Biodiversity
The University of Hong Kong
fax: (852) 24885285
mailto:kendrick at hkusua.hku.hk
http://www.hku.hk/ecology/dd/pgs/roger/hkmoth.htm  Hong Kong Moths
mail: Kadoorie Agricultural Research Centre
      The University of Hong Kong
      Lam Kam Road, Shek Kong,
      Yuen Long, New Territories
      Hong Kong