risk of release
Michael Gochfeld
gochfeld at eohsi.rutgers.edu
Thu Jun 15 17:09:54 EDT 2000
Bruce mentions that individuals have a vested interest in not letting
creatures escape, particularly if they've paid good money for them. And
I agree. But virtually every kind of animal that I have kept has at one
time or another escaped, including a bird that I carefully guarded for
11 years (a longevity record), but which found a way outside.
Parrots (valued in excess of $1000) escape with too much regularity, and
such forlorn individuals are often seen even in northern climes where
their survival is doubtful.
We often misjudge (and underestimate) the houdini-esque capabilities
of organisms. I would be very surprised to learn that there are people
who regularly raise leps who have never had a caterpillar disappear.
In any case, for creatures that truly are pests (and Norbert has pointed
out that real pests and pests-by-law are not the same), I wouldn't rely
on amateur containment, no matter how highly motivated.
Mike Gochfeld
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