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Today I was
watching an animal rescue program that really disturbed me.
This
program prompted me to think about just what we are doing to
our animals in the world today. This program discussed the
possibility of the distinction of animals in the wild.
My personal
conclusion is that no matter what the reason humans seemed
to be at the bottom of it. The program forced me to revisit
what I already knew about human involvement in the animal
kingdom and take a hard look at the reality it presents.
One of the
most common forms of human involvement facilitating animal
extinction as we know it is reducing the numbers through
trapping and killing. While trapping one species, other
animals have been caught in traps and then discarded to die
in agony. In turn, poaching has threatened many species. For
example, 95% of the world??™s tiger population has been
depleted due to either starvation (as other animals such as
the elk that they feed on become scarce) or direct poaching.
Directly or
indirectly, poaching is responsible for the depletion of
much of the animal population. Going back to the example of
the tigers, as we hunt one species and threaten its
existence, we are in turn depleting the food supply of
another. Thus the latter species is destined to die of
starvation.?
The animals
of the world, as well as humans, are part of an ecosystem
that provides a system of natural check and balances.
Hunting and killing off one population that may pose a
threat to our human existence or are simply used for our own
vanity (killed to make fur coats) threatens our very
existence.
We, in our
shortsightedness, have failed to realize the effects that
this human intervention will bring upon other species that
in turn may also become a nuisance or a threat to our
existence. For example, we have learned that killing spiders
has produced epidemics of flies. Now flies in some parts of
the world are no longer kept in check by this natural
predator.
Blind human
intervention has wreaked havoc on the ecosystem. But since
the ecosystem is a reciprocal system, human intervention
within this system threatens our human existence as well.
Depleting animal populations interacts with our food supply
whether directly or indirectly induced.
Poaching is
a serious human intervention that breaks the natural balance
of many animal populations. Furthermore, in many instances
this intervention not only threatens the species but tampers
with the world??™s human food supply. Salmon poaching in
Canadian waters is but one of the many examples that can be
given to back up this claim.
In turn,
polluting our rivers with chemical waste and debris not only
leads to the extinction of aquatic life but has produced
carcinogenic fish that pose a health concern to the world??™s
populace as well.
The
depletion of
Brazil??™s
tropical rain forests has caused the extinction of various
animal populations and risked the health of humans.
New
diseases are introduced into our atmosphere all the time.
The dreaded Ebola virus is believed to be a direct cause of
the depletion of the rain forests.
The Gaia
theory postulates that the release of these new deadly
viruses is in fact mother earth??™s revenge. Gaia (mother
earth) is fighting back. She is protecting herself from any
further insult from the intervention and destruction of the
planet.
Genetic
engineering has wreaked much havoc as well. We all are aware
of how the ???killer bees??? are posing a threat to humans, as
well as other insects and animal species.
It is much
too early to note the effects of cloning upon our food
supply. But rest assured there are arguments for and against
cloning both animals as well as vegetation that are coming
to the forefront of science as we speak.
The
depletion of the ozone layer is a major offense upon the
planet that we have no choice but to take seriously. The
effect of global warming is wrecking havoc in our lives as
we speak. It is predicted that within eight years many
humans most notably the sick and elderly will die due to the
elevation in world temperatures.
Today, we
see the effects of global warming upon our harvests and in
our animals. Sheep in
Argentina
are going blind because of global warming. Global warming is
not just a theory, it is a serious message that we as humans
should heed.
Though I
knew all this information, Argentina is a world away. The
program that I watched today brought me closer to home.
Global warming is a serious concern. Our animals, whether
domesticated or wild, need our help.
Scientists
have long discovered the hole in the ozone layer above
Greenland. This rescue program that I watched today pointed
out how the warming effect has seriously threatened the
North American polar bear, which lives in Canada??™s Georgian
Bay area. These animals need the Arctic temperatures to
survive.
The ice in
this area is important to them also. According to the
program, these polar bears live on the ice. Baby seals are
their food supply. Each year the warming effect is depleting
the ice supply. Consequently, vegetation is suffering
because of changing temperatures. The warmer temperatures
are producing more water in this region and less ice. As a
result, the seal supply is diminishing, and the polar bears
are on the brink of starvation.
The body
weight of the polar bears continues to decrease every
decade. Nursing mothers are so malnourished that their cubs
are dying. Global warming, lack of food, and smaller
surviving litters are all evidence of a species on the verge
of extinction.
Our polar
bears need our help, and our tigers and other endangered
species need our help, too. Animals have done so much to
improve the quality of our lives. Yet, we continue to
disrupt the ecosystem whether by poaching, global warming,
or other types of human intervention.
We fail to
realize that nature is reciprocal and the consequences of
what we do now will fall back upon us in the future.
When you
look at your pet cat, your farm animals that provide
sustenance for your family, the neighbor??™s seeing-eye dog;
when you read a story about a new scientific breakthrough
found with the aid of laboratory animals; when you buy a new
pair of leather shoes, watch a program about an exotic
animal, or an endangered species, remember the part humans
have played in each of these animals lives and visa versa.
Remember
the good that these animals have done for humankind.
You can
make a difference!
You can
help!
Joining an
animal rescue group is but one form of help. You can:
boycott leather shoes, eat vegetarian food, or donate to a
favourite rescue group or animal shelter. Or you can save an
animal from a shelter, love your own animals dearly, feed a
stray, or become more informed about how you can do your
part to offset the consequences of global warming.
The
possibilities are only limited by our own imagination.
Whatever you choose to do or not do does affect the
ecosystem. Our animals need us as much as we need them. The
choice to help or not is yours!?
Carol Roach
winterose @ videotron.ca
About me:? I have a Masters in Counseling Psychology.? I
have written for several newsletters including this one.? I
run my own newsletter and I will soon be publishing my book
- Picking Up the Pieces: A woman's Journey.? If you would
like to comment about this story feel free to contact me
at:? winterose @ videotron.ca
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May your day be blessed
Bob Johnston |
