Some May Not Want To Watch This:
Submitted by PriceRip on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 8:44pm
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8pZY1FClWY]
This wildlife trap-camera video was recorded by Tejon Ranch Conservancy biologist Ben Teton (@ben_teton), as part of a long-term study of invasive wild pigs and their impacts on the native ecology of Tejon Ranch. The recording captures the predation of a wild piglet by a young female black bear as she attacks a sounder of pigs wallowing in an upland spring.
I am a scientist, and I hang out with "Real Conservationist" rather than "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals" conservationists(?). This could generate an interesting conversation about science and public policy. Or this could generate a lot of vitriolic. Or just quiet disgust ...
See the rest of the video's description ...
Comments
Nature
at it's finest.
Nothing disgusting about it.
Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.
Damned Foreign Invaders!
My yard (in the Sonoran Desert) was landscaped with cassias from Australia, as a "desert-adapted" flowering bush. They're the first to bloom (in January), and they're beautiful. They're related to beans & peas, and they're prolific in pod production. In June, I try to pick all the pods. By August, I have to go around and pull up ALL the babies. I've found them 30 yards from the original plant. If I don't kill them, they'll get established here in my neighborhood & crowd out the locals, which are stressed enough, thank you. The cassias are beautiful, but I am ruthless.
Oops, was I supposed to feel sorry for the pig? Dang! I always miss those social cues…
“We may not be able to change the system, but we can make the system irrelevant in our lives and in the lives of those around us.”—John Beckett
Ooooh! The snowflakes won't want this to be shown.
Toooo cruel, you know. But they're fine with pre-emptive war, killing innocent humans.
Texans are fairly ruthless dealing with their feral-pig problem
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=texas+feral+hog&t=ffsb&ia=videos
Your post reignited a familiar path of questioning,
and further thought. I still am, and may always be somewhat conflicted between the different perspectives and strategies regarding the matter of protection and investigation. My primary concern is for endemic and native species. But I also don’t like choosing between who gets to live, or not. A dilemma.
There is an ongoing discussion in New Zealand regarding native and endemic species, and how to manage their predators. This was again highlighted today by the tragic news, that “eighty percent of the country's native bird species are in bad shape, with some on the brink of extinction, and the environment watchdog is recommending exploring genetic engineering and tourist taxes to tackle the problem.”
I also think about how ancient cultures (who had no investigative tools, but their eyes and hands-on experience) learned so much about the workings of nature. I guess cameras are substitute eyes in certain ways. How the information they record is used or advances the quality of life, is of importance to consider. At the same time, we’ve seen historically that people (even scientists) can create even greater problems, while experimenting to solve one.
The current state of nature is such a tragic reflection of how much is lost in humanity’s dislocation from it. It is especially sad to consider how much life has been lost due to that condition.
Even though I didn't get past the squealing sounds of the baby pigs at the beginning, I am not averse to being informed so graphically, if that's what it takes for more people to learn more about the inter-relatedness and natural balance of nature.
Anyway, I think there needs to be room for both, the “Real Conservationist" and "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals”
On the one hand ... but on the other ...
Houston, we have a problem ...
When the foundations of science were being laid some rich guy would sponsor some smart guy to do some research. Sometimes the "rich guy" and the "smart guy" were the self-same individual. The development of the discipline was subject to the whims of the patron and the availability of an appropriately talented individual.
The social dynamic is different now but no less fickle than in the past. This is, we might say, "A can of worms."
Regardless of the decision making process, some very important research will not be funded, and some trivial research will be heavily promoted.
As various programs and agencies get gutted in the coming months ... "I wonder what the world be like if ... "
I like your criteria for qualification ...
that the most knowledgable, scientifically, work in conjunction with others who can contribute equally valuable perspectives. Thanks for the background
Bill Taddicken
The director of The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary works with a citizen advisory committee to "reality check" goals and objectives for our very successful venture along this reach of the Platte River. Set up years ago by his predecessors this committee has been very supportive of the development and expansion of the sanctuary. The Original Committee formed during a time of conflict and intense acrimony.
Perhaps I am a bit naïve but, transforming a hostile environment into a supportive environment is so much more rewarding than "making war" endlessly. It worked in Central Nebraska, why not the rest of the world?
"Perhaps I am a bit naïve ...
but, transforming a hostile environment into a supportive environment is so much more rewarding than "making war" endlessly."
If that’s naive, I am unreasonable. Expansion of sanctuary (peace) can only be good.
With Power Comes Responsibility
When I was a high school student I qualified for a work-study grand that allowed me to acquire a small amount of "spending money". For a time I worked as a laboratory assistant for one of the junior high physical science teachers.
One evening I arrived to find a note instructing me to prepare some rats for dissection. The instructions for killing each rat were very explicit. The amount of formaldehyde to water mixture was specified. The one gallon jars and lids were carefully arranged. The rats in the nearby cage were well fed and comfortable.
I will not describe the nightmare that ensued. Suffice to say, the teacher was not very concerned about the details of how the rat would meet its death. And, my note scrawled on the blackboard made it clear that the teacher was lucky to not have encountered me that evening or during then next day. Angry, does not even come close to describing my state of mind for the next 24 hours.
This situation taught me two valuable lessons. If that teacher had asked me to figure out a "humane way to kill" the rats, they would not have suffered. Never simply believe your colleagues know what they are doing, sometimes the most brilliant person is also the most stupid person.
That’s why the perspective of others is critical.
I think that the most humane alternative would be sterilisation (in reference to the NZ bird dilemma) . 1040 poisoning and traps, not so much.
Thanks ...
Your several comments have helped me clarify some aspects of these issues. I think I now have a vision of what I need to present when I get settled in "Out West".
I too, appreciate
the exchange we’ve had here. It has also helped me find more clarity regarding subjects that are significant to me.
Some people will never visit a wilderness ...
... and too many of them should never go "out there", I have met many people of this type. They would not last long in some of those (see map below) green patches, even some of the smaller patches would be problematic. The disconnect I have witnessed is astonishing at times. Fortunately, there are some very good people working to fix this problem, but yet again, funding is required and public policy changes are needed and the political will to do both is sorely lacking.
I think even brief excursions into ‘nature’ would be beneficial
Anyone can go out there benignly and enjoyably with guidance, and probably should.
“The disconnect I have witnessed is astonishing at times.” I’m sorry to hear that.
At Rowe Sanctuary
I meet people from all over the world, literally. Every year we have a world map with pins. We ask people to indicate their point of origin to make a "joke" of how humans have flocked to Central Nebraska to see the mass migration of Sandhill Cranes.
The diversity of visitors is truly inspiring. While I often lament the naïveté of our visitors, they are eager to learn. So, I should not be too harsh. It is just that there are so many people (particularly living in cities) that have little opportunity or inclination to spend time "out in the real world".
Clueless newbies wondering about the wilderness account for an unacceptable, and avoidable amount of first responder's headaches in the form of getting "lost in the woods" as well as "unfortunate encounters with wildlife". Outdoor education should be a part of every school's curriculum. As the coming crisis (global climate change) develops, conflicts with nature in various forms will escalate and may exceed human-human strife as a source of misery and death.
Well, enough doom and gloom for the nonce.
I’m going now to see about the migration
of Sandhill Cranes and the Platte River area. It sounds interesting.
It is tedious at times to open eyes that have been blinkered, but if there is an eagerness, there’s also hope and satisfaction.
NZ also has its fair share of inexperienced visitors that need saving. One of the best things though, is that outdoor education is purposefully and naturally a part of the culture.
Cheers
What beautiful birds!
[video:https://youtu.be/4hggc3p8gY4]
A must see picture.
If you scroll down a bit you can see "Joy" one of my favorite photos by Michael Forsberg, and the comments are awesome.
Michael is a Conservation Photographer and can often be seen at Rowe in the spring. If you should happen to encounter him, tell him Rip sent you.
Thanks for that.
This one of Forsbergs is not bad either ...
Somewhere in Alaska if I remember correctly.
Of two eggs that is the surviving colt. The adults are very nurturing parents during the summer, fall, and winter. In the spring they arrive here as a family, after a few days they begin the processes of abandoning the young. They use their sword like bills to intimidate it away from their roosting spot as well as from the places they go to feed. I have watched as a pair will outfly their young. There is noting quite so heartbreaking as seeing a colt flying aimlessly about in search of companionship. Sandhill Cranes are not solitary by nature.
The young then find other yearlings to "form a gang of toughs", as my friend Richard used to say. The young hangout together in a loose group for a few years until they get old enough to find a mate.
The Platte is of singular importance for these birds, as this is where they maintain their genetic integrity. This is where the various extended family groups commingle. Those young adults (that formed a gang a few years earlier) create the world's largest singles bar as they go through the courting process. The photo "Joy" is a classic display during this phase. The scene on the Platte is often as saccharine as a disney movie ... get a room, guys.
Sandhill Cranes are said to live on the edge of winter. They arrive early enough that late winter storms can be devastating for those that are in poor health. I have watches blizzards and ice storms wreak havoc over a very short span of time.
So, for about six weeks every year we are privileged to witness the forlorn recently abandoned, the joyful "newlywed", and the tragic end of life dramas. My daughter grew up learning life lessons on the Platte.
What a fascinating picture you draw with your description.
And very poetic.
Thank you very much.
I am confused
I do not see how watching an animal catching prey assists in the discussion of conservation? Rabbits and pigs both scream as a method to prevent being killed by a predators and other animals play dead. It can sometimes shock the predator to pause long enough for the prey to escape. It is about auditory sensitivity not gore, we assume the pig was eaten, but that was not a kill bite. Any action off camera is our imagination.
Ethical treatment of animals is not inconsistent with conservation goals. Dr. Temple Grandin work in ethical treatment in handling animals reduces injury and stress for handlers and animals.
Invasive species control is a world wide problem. There is more to discuss than who is a real conservationist vs not a real conservationist.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.