Trophy hunters... feed them to the sharks
IHAVE always been an animal lover. As a child we always had pets that were much loved. I think my first ambition was to be a vet. I watch supervet ‘Noel’ and am filled with a mixture of envy and admiration. My favourite out-of-school outing was to the zoo, and this was long before we had much concept of how to treat animals in captivity. They were just there for us to look at.
As children, we also did things that are unthinkable today. I had a great birds’ egg collection and it included two magnificent curlew eggs. I remember coming across the nest on the ground and the beautiful green, speckled eggs. There aren’t many curlews around now. Realistically, they are an endangered species. Sadly I played a small part. For some reason we weren’t allowed to rob a robin’s nest and for that I am grateful.
I was never allowed to have an air rifle but a few of my friends were. There were some rules. Again, it was unthinkable to shoot a robin. Or a wren. I remember a big row one day because someone shot a thrush. We were probably about 11 and, as kids go, we were very well behaved. I don’t think I have killed anything for pleasure since those distant days.
Sorry. I forgot about fish. That was not really for pleasure. They were to be eaten, though once you have caught about 20 mackerel, you are really doing it for the feel of the strike and it is fun. I love eating fish. A while back, I saw a group of men arrive in a pub, in high spirits, with the swordfish they had caught. It was a drinksall-around moment. I happen to enjoy eating swordfish or tuna. They are very nice steaks, done simply in a little oil and peppered to taste. Something in the exuberance of this group of men made me wonder how I would have felt if it had been a tiger, an elephant or even a deer that they were celebrating the early demise of.
There is some sort of campaign running on Facebook where pictures of idiot animal-killing tourists with their victim are posted for all to see. They always look very proud, delighted for being able to fell a wild animal with a powerful firearm. A one-sided battle. I would like to arm the prey. I always click whatever way is required to show my disgust, but I find that the emotion of the images stays with me. How can we put an end to the killing of wild animals, many on the verge of extinction?
Some of the issue is to do with killing for eating, versus killing for ‘fun’. I know it makes sense to cull deer. In any case, I have eaten venison, so it would be hypocritical to frown on hunters. But none of us needs ivory. Or rhino horns. Or real fur coats. And we certainly do not need rich hunters who travel with no other purpose than to shoot a wild animal that hasn’t a chance and is minding its own business. Ban it.
And, while I am at it, if you ever come across shark-fin soup quit the establishment hastily. You will be savouring the bit that was cut off before the remainder of the fish was thrown back in to drown. We deserve to get bitten now and again.