The role of hunting in conservation
Discussion:
· Do you support hunting? Explain your answer.
Introduction:
Hunting is a controversial topic and people have very passionate opinions on it. All over the world, humans have hunted for thousands of years, but since there are very few left who actually depend on hunting to survive, many people who support animal rights are against this old tradition. It may come as a surprise to you that some argue that hunting benefits conservation. Read the statements and discuss which side has more convincing arguments.
David Wilson, USA, sport hunter
Sport hunting has always been an important part of American culture. I can understand that some people don’t approve of killing animals, but it isn’t fair to accuse hunters of not caring about our wildlife. Many nature reserves or national parks in the U.S. are only being protected today because years ago, hunters started worrying about the damage that was being done to natural habitats and urged their conservation. I pay a lot of money for my hunting licenses, as well as high taxes on my weapons and ammunition. A big amount of that money goes straight to conservation organizations and programs. Of course, hunting should be regulated: hunting laws in the United States are very strict. If you don’t stick to the rules, you will have to pay huge fines. Also, the population sizes of hunted species are evaluated regularly. If for example the numbers of a certain duck species shrink too much, hunting that species will immediately be prohibited. As you can see, regulated hunting provides a lot of funding for private conservation organizations and does a lot for the protection of endangered species and habitats.
Walter Fischer, Germany, nature conservationist and animal lover
Because of my ethical and ecological beliefs, I am against all forms of hunting in Germany and Central Europe. Every species has the right to live, and we humans should respect that. Sport hunters don’t care about the wellbeing of our wildlife – they hunt for the thrill and because they enjoy it, not because they want to help control the deer populations. According to surveys, 65% of Germans are against hunting, so why is it still legal to kill animals, including those who are already threatened, like otters and partridges? Too many species have already disappeared from the face of this earth, and there are thousands of people working hard every day to preserve the biodiversity left on this planet. So what gives us the right to kill innocent creatures?
Michael Schmidt, Switzerland, supporter of a pro-hunting initiative
In central Europe, hunting is practical nature conservation. Many animals that we hunt don’t have natural predators anymore (such as wolves, lynxes or bears). To help preserve the balance in our forests, we need hunting as a form of population control. Without it, the populations of species like deer will increase so much that they become a threat to many native habitats. For example, when a deer population gets too large, the deer do not have enough grass and herbs to feed on, so they are forced to eat the leaves of young plants and trees in our forests. Therefore, hunting not only helps to keep up a healthy stock of game, it also helps conserve habitats. Hunting has had a long tradition not only in Europe, but everywhere in the world. Humans have been hunters and gatherers for thousands of years, and hunting is simply a part of our nature. I prefer eating meat that I shoot myself, because I know that it comes from a healthy animal. The meat of one deer feeds my family and me for several weeks. I think that is better for the environment than buying meat at a supermarket that comes from mass farming.
Andrea Meier, Germany, supporter of an initiative against hunting
In central Europe, many to predators such as the brown bear and lynx were more or less exterminated because of hunting. Even though some animals in Germany, such as the hare or pine marten are included in the red list of endangered species, it is not yet forbidden to hunt them. Even hunting in protected areas and most nature reserves is still allowed. Since 1934, no changes have been made to German hunting legislations, even though the law of animal welfare of 2002 should protect endangered native animals. One of the most popular arguments supporting hunting is that it helps control populations. However, studies show that in European places in which hunting is forbidden (as in Swiss and Italian National Parks), the wildlife stocks don’t increase enough to cause any harm to native plants and ecosystems. Additionally, research shows visible signs of stress in animal populations that are being hunted.
http://biologiebilingual.jimdo.com/teaching-material/conservation-biology/controversial-issues/