watching endangered species

[Ron Gatrelle]

----- Original Message -----
From: <Leptraps at aol.com>
Subject: Re: Endangered species act


snip
> 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 regulations are very strict indeed - especially when applied to the
letter.  Those who only watch or photograph need to remember that the rules
affect them too.  I heard recently of a fairly large group of butterfliers
traipsing through Mitchell's Satyr habitat to get some good pictures.  How
many larvae and pupae were killed in this process?   How many "nesting"
sedges (= eagle nest trees) were destroyed with larvae on them.  What is
unbelievable to me is that I heard they had permission to do so!   I heard
there were pictures of the group published somewhere.   Is this incident
just hearsay or does anyone have more info on this?

Also, under a by-the-book application of the endangered species laws I
would think that catch and release of specimens would be a felonious act
also as one is not to even disturb the domestic tranquility of a list
taxon.

For the record I support treating endangered insects with as much respect
as endangered mammals or birds.   I thus consider destruction of their
habitat (as above) and disturbing them (as above) things that _should_ be
restricted.   Unless this is as John Shuey mentioned in legitimate official
activity (e.g. burns) to help promote the habitat and increase population
size and health.  When it is demanded that we in the US forfeit our rights
in favor of animal "rights" there needs to be some very solid reasons for
this.  I don't think animals have rights, or care - so it is a matter of
human responsibility.  Oh, and I still think the endangered species act is
unconstititional and that the US has no authority to enforce other
countries laws (via Lacy Act) on US citizens.

Another post with something somewhere for everyone to agree with and
disagree with. :-)   Repeat after me.  Spring is on the way, spring is on
the way, spring is on the way.  It is not easy being a libertarian and a
conservationist at the  same time.

Ron Gatrelle



 
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