To the editor,
I wish to direct my thoughts to all animal enthusiasts and the various groups attempting to preserve endangered species - in this case, the polar bear (Endangered Species Act - May 2008).
I feel that the proper authorities should have given this situation a little more thought regarding the safety of the community and especially for the children near the bear's den , rather than eliminating the problem by using three bullets.
The shooting took place in a community west of the largest provincial park in Ontario (Polar Bear Provincial Park), which is home for several hundred polar bears migrating here annually according to Wikipedia.
What annoys me , is that the authorities encourage community residents - no matter where they reside - not to kill a nuisance animal before contacting them, as they have full jurisdiction in the disposal of the nuisance.
I am not a Green Peace activist but I do watch shows such as North Woods Law (New Hampshire game wardens), and Polar Town (Churchill, Manitoba), and in the episodes they use the tactic of tranquilization for animals causing a nuisance.
Why was this tactic not used by the authorities?
One must realize that killing this "nuisance" reduces the population by not one but several in the reproduction state.
So, my question is very simple - why educate, encourage, and enforce people to preserve species near extinction, when this one was not preserved?
In Timmins, we have white moose, and it is unethical to shoot one because there would be serious consequences if one did.
Thank you,
Gary Kader
Timmins, Ont.
