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by Mildred Boyd
Whether
in carelessness or callousness, ignorance or arrogance, man seems hellbent
on destroying all wildlife on this planet. We have already successfully
eliminated an appallingly long list of plants, fish, birds, reptiles and
mammals and are seriously threatening thousands more. Though some have
been destroyed because they were viewed as threats or because of their
commercial value, many more are victims of man’s casual destruction
of their habitats. We kill or drive off their natural food, divert or
pollute their water supplies, cut down their forest homes, pave over their
hunting grounds and poison the very air they breathe, all in the name
of progress or, even worse, profit.
Isn’t it time we stopped scorning
environmental activists as “doom-sayers,” “tree-huggers”
and “animal freaks” and took a realistic look at the future?
Make no mistake, it is not “just” plants and animals at risk.
Certain highly specialized human groups, like the Bushmen of the Kalahari
Desert, are already menaced and others are sure to follow.
If we do not take up the fight for
animal survival, who knows? Homo sapiens may soon head the endangered
list. For more information—and what you can do to help—call
Vern and Lori Geiger at Lakeside Wildlife Rescue and Rebab. (Tel. 765-4916;
e-mail 1geiger@prodigy.net.mx)
Those who persist in ignoring animal
rights should be warned that Mexico’s protective laws have sprouted
teeth. Hefty prison sentences and/or punitive fines are now the order
of the day and possession of any part of a protected animal, even a crocodile
skin belt, is a Federal offense.