The human factor…
Pyrenean Ibex
The UK Telegraph is reporting on the Pyrenean Ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica), an extinct subspecies of the Spanish Ibex. These beautiful animals used to reside along the Pyrenees in France and Spain. Just a few short hundred years ago these animals were numerous, but through extensive hunting done during the 19th century, fewer than 100 animals remained. The last known Pyrenean Ibex was a female named Celia. Apparently she was found dead on January 6, 2000, making the subspecies extinct.
The article states:
“Shortly before its death, scientists preserved skin samples of the goat, a subspecies of the Spanish ibex that live in mountain ranges across the country, in liquid nitrogen. Using DNA taken from these skin samples, the scientists were able to replace the genetic material in eggs from domestic goats, to clone a female Pyrenean ibex, or bucardo as they are known. It is the first time an extinct animal has been cloned. Sadly, the newborn ibex kid died shortly after birth due to physical defects in its lungs. Other cloned animals, including sheep, have been born with similar lung defects. But the breakthrough has raised hopes that it will be possible to save endangered and newly extinct species by resurrecting them from frozen tissue.”
Are you freaking kidding me? They say “sadly, the newborn ibex kid died” but we are the ones who killed out the subspecies in the first place! Here, check out this shit. Go on. I’ll wait.
The bastards folks who run Ameri-Cana Exeditions had this to say about hunting:
“Hunting provides an opportunity for very close contact with the natural enviroment of which Spain has some of the most unspoilt when compared with the rest of Europe. Finally, the extensive hotel facilities and the state-run Paradores in Spain are guarantees to the tourist of a really confortable stay while engaged in hunting.”
Hey humans! You get to be “really comfortable” (I think they meant comfortable) during your stay so you can be refreshed to go and KILL things. I mean, the animals aren’t comfortable but YOU will be. I can’t even bring myself to talk about the absurdity of the statement “Hunting provides an opportunity for very close contact with the natural environment…”. I mean, is there a theory about being in nature to appreciate being in nature, but killing the nature while you are there that I am missing?! And, the “trophies” you get can be talked about on their page called “Hunters Bragging Page”.
You know what I’d like to see? How about these so called “hunters” fight fair? Drop the guns, camo clothes, jeeps, helicopters, whistles, dogs and hunt like the animals do. If we truly are the superior species then this shouldn’t be a problem. Go get ‘em tiger. I, for one, would like to see it.
“Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.” ~ Charles Darwin