For All the Good We Can Do: Us and Mother Nature

For the curious, the mystery bird I told you about last week was the American Widgeon. Thank you L.D.

                Everyday we hear stories about the influence our species have on this earth, ranging from the sad, sad story of Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island Tortoise who died in 2012, rendering the species extinct, or the Passenger Pigeon who met extinction in 1914. Both of these creatures were hunted out of existence by over exuberant people. They joined the likes of the Great Auk (a penguin-like bird), the Steller’s Sea Cow, and the famous Dodo Bird, the poster-creature for extinct animals. These are all animals that we will never see because of a few who just kept shooting because they figured there would always be plenty more. Yet, in spite of our record in this area, we never seem to learn. The tiger, the Mountain Gorilla and many others are careening toward a similar fate. Very recently, the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct, and yet another species no longer wanders the earth.

                It’s kind of scary and intimidating to think we have the power to wreak such dreadful power over the creatures of the earth. That we could create such irreversible change.

                What we don’t often consider is this: If we, collectively, have the power to do such awful things, we have the ability to turn ourselves around and do equally amazing and wonderful and beautiful things.

                This week brought about an example of just such a beautiful thing. It’s enough to make you beam.

                The majestic and incredible Humpback Whale has been very happily removed from the endangered species list! Well, almost. The proposal being made is that the whales can be divided into 14 separate populations, and of these, 10 populations can be declared “Not at Risk”! Two are at risk and two are still endangered, and we still need to take that very seriously, but bringing some 70% of the world’s humpbacks to safety is no small accomplishment! Some conservationists are saying it’s too soon to take them off the endangered species list, and, of course, we should never stop being protective and respectful of our planet-mates, but still, we can smile.
                Here are some more animals to make us smile.

·         Among the most famous is the American Bison. Said to have once roamed North America in such numbers that it took days for one herd to cross a river, these animals were nearly destroyed through over-hunting and politics. Today, the remaining herds live in protected parklands under the protection of law.
 
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·         The Gray Whale was hunted into near-oblivion as early as the 1850s. It took until the 1930s for them to receive partial protection and the 1940s, nearly a century after their plight was first documented, for them to receive full protection. It is predicted the whale’s current population is nearly equal to its pre-1850s state.

·         The Gray Wolf, that beautiful, mysterious steely eyed animal that we’re accustomed to seeing crying out to the bright, clear moon, came mighty close to being silenced. And once again, the culprit was hunting. Today, thanks to firm conservation laws and an effort to introduce the wolves into a variety of parks, these creatures are once again wandering a number of different woods.

·         The American Alligator was nearly lost because so many people desired its hide. Conservation programs and laws have brought back the ‘gator, but he remains threatened just because he bears a resemblance to the American Crocodile, who remains endangered.
 
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Photo by Gareth Rasberry

·         The Peregrine Falcon was nearly destroyed in the middle of the 1900s by pesticides. They were eating smaller birds, which were eating insects and seeds infected by the poison, bringing home the true interdependent nature of the world of Mother Nature. The poisons have been banned, captive breeding programs were initiated, and the Falcons haven’t been on the Endangered Species list since the 1990s.

So, it can be easy to get blue whenever we hear of yet another species being bashed, battered and poisoned to an unbearable pitch. But when you do, think of these stories and remember, there is always someone, somewhere who is working hard to protect Mother Nature.
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Photo by Whit Welles Wwelles14

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