Endangered species act

[Leptraps at aol.com]

You will like this!

In 1989, while driving north on RT. 605 on North Key Largo, Florida, I 
stopped to visit one of my favorite spots Cary's Fort Loop (Now part of the 
North Key Largo Botanical Site, State of Florida Property), as I walked along 
Rt. 605, I found a male of the endangered, Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus 
in the grass, I assumed it was struck by a passing car. I pick it up, I could 
go to jail if it is found on my possession. However, what about the car that 
struck and killed the endangered species? Can they be held accountable for 
killing an endangered species? And if they are speeding while driving through 
the habitat, what then?

I read something a number of years ago about the endangered Key Deer. A large 
number (50+) are hit and killed by cars it year. In the late 1980s, the 
drivers were charged. And if under the influence or speeding, even worse. 
However, I do not know or remember what the out come was.

Also, during my last stay in Lake Worth, Florida, a Bald Eagle built a nest 
in a tree and commenced to fish the lakes of our golf course. They would shed 
feathers and children and adults alike would pick them up. Some months later, 
a notice was posted that the possession of the feathers of this endanger 
species was a violation and could get you "X" number of years in jail. The 
community was outrage at the threat. A Florida Fish and Wildlife officer came 
to a home owners meeting and confirmed the threat. He explained that people 
sold the feathers and that is the purpose for the law. The question was 
raised, why did not someone from the state come and educate the residence 
rather than threaten them? They had no idea collecting the fallen feathers 
was illegal.

The community took the eagles to heart, the nesting area was fence off and a 
viewing platform erected on the opposite side of the lake. The following 
spring, a pair of Osprey's took over the nest when the eagles did not return. 
To the chagrin of residence of our community (We lived a private golf 
community), the endangered Borrowing Owls found the sand traps that summer. 
But that's another story.

Cheers,



Leroy C. Koehn
202 Redding Road
Georgetown, Kentucky
USA          40324-2622
Tele.: 502-570-9123
Cell: 502-803-5422
E-mail: Leptraps at aol.com

"Let's get among them"
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