Culling is not necessary
YOUR article in the June 23 edition of the Cape Argus regarding the imminent extermination of about 400 fallow deer on Robben Island refers:
Why is this beautiful animal considered by the eco-xenophobic conservationists to be not worthy of life? Surely people who purport to speak for and protect animals should by now have evolved to the stage where all life is respected and should have encouraged safe sanctuaries for them instead of hunters’ bullets?
Killing helpless animals because they are considered “aliens” – like the very hunters and their supporters, who, to be purist, are “aliens” themselves, adds more fuel to the flames of the endemic violence towards the helpless which is sweeping through our beloved country, namely to kill anyone or anything with whom they disagree and whose lives in their opinion have no value.
Evolved people need to speak up to promote non-lethal alternatives, utilising contraception and safe sanctuaries to counter the overpopulation of animals. The actions of killing so-called problems in defiance of the sensitivities of the evolved public and their constitutional right to public participation, together with the implementation of humane decision-making over violence is again being crushed by those who appear to have no respect for life in all its forms. Is it possible nobody in officialdom is interested in the terror and pain of these creatures as the bullets tear through them. Surely we can do better?
Our organisation, Adopt-a-Pet, has been running humane education and youth enrichment programmes with young people living in highrisk areas since 2011. Interaction with nature and animals, plus other interventions have been the catalysts in changing negative and cruel behaviour into positive attitudes such as compassion and empathy coupled with respect for all life, directed at both animals and their fellow human beings. We are proud yet humbled by these fine young people who participated, whom we hope will become tomorrow’s leaders.
People who value and respect the lives of others which share our troubled world need to band together and nip in the bud the ominous current uprising of both xenophobia and eco-xenophobia before it is too late. We should follow the example of Mahatma Gandhi. His words of wisdom for the promotion of peace stated that peace could only be achieved by a commitment to non violence, which includes both animals and humans. South Africa is uniquely placed to further this ideal.