Make you Fink on Friday

Let them die out

Extinction!

We hear this word all the time; it has become a by-word.

Everything is becoming extinct, even us, because of us.

But daily we hear of rhinos, black, white, Javan, of tigers and elephants, all under more immediate threat than us.

However, there is another group of animals that are being consigned to extinction, and nobody is saying “Boo!” In fact decisions have been made to let them die out.

Man is playing God again!

100 most endangered species: priceless or worthless?

Scientists working for the IUCN have identified 100 species they fear will be allowed to die out as they have no obvious benefits for humans. Published on Tuesday at the World Conservation Congress in South Korea, the list was compiled by 8,000 scientists, and is the first of its kind

Rio Pescado stubfoot toad, Atelopus balios Population size: Unknown Range: Azuay, Cañar and Guyas provinces, south-western Ecuador Threats: Chytridiomycosis and habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansion Action required: Protection of last remaining habitat – Photograph: Eduardo Toral-Contreras/ZSL/IUCN

See and read about another 28 species

Opinion:

Sloths, bats, chameleons, iguanas; and not only animals, plants too like the wild yam of South Africa are amongst the most endangered species.

Apparently, if they have no obvious value, man is not interested in saving them.

My thinking is that any animal or plant that is in danger of extinction because of man’s activities like destruction of habitats, the introduction of alien predators,  or over-harvesting, then efforts should be made to save them.

To say that one species should be saved, but another is not, is not man’s decision to make. We have interrupted the balance and we should redress the imbalance. It is our responsibility to do so.

I can understand not taking action where the inevitable demise is naturally generated, that is Mother Nature at work, in her infinite wisdom.

I am saddened beyond comprehension, actually, appalled would be a better word, to think that man has stooped this low.