Sir David, we must step in to save a life
I DISAGREE with Sir David Attenborough, who argues it is wrong for people to intervene in nature to save a dying animal (Mail). Yes, tragedy is part of life, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do whatever is in our power to alleviate it. We can’t just stand and stare. Sir David recounts the agonising moment he watched a baby elephant dying from dehydration. Let’s forget nature for a moment and think of life itself. If it had been a person, would it be OK to watch the tragedy simply because it’s part of life? Wouldn’t most of us try to save a life? A tragedy should be alleviated whenever possible simply because no life is meaningless.
JANA KNIGHT, Epsom, Surrey. IT IS understandable why the brilliant documentary maker Sir David Attenborough could believe it is wrong for people to intervene in nature. However, his belief would only be correct if he were referring to intervention by extra-terrestrials in Star Trek. Of course, there should be non-intervention when animals are hunting to feed their young, but intervening to stop animals being used for sport or to stop ivory-poaching for profit is absolutely necessary. Filming an animal in serious difficulty for the purpose of showing tragedy is wrong. Humans are among the more intelligent members of the animal kingdom and should use their gifts to assist other animals. Sir David also says he wants to put women in charge, but they have been known to kill animals for sport, too.
RICHARD GREEN, Newquay, Cornwall. THOUGH a fan of Sir David, I do not agree with his remarks about allowing a wild animal suffer so as not to interfere with nature. If we can save a protected species from suffering a premature death or injury, we should always do so. To be a nature voyeur is repugnant and I would condemn anyone not giving nature a helping hand if they are in a position to do so. No self-respecting person could possibly stand by and see an animal suffer unnecessarily.
JOHN ATKINS, Greatstone, Kent SO IF we come across Sir David Attenborough dying from dehydration, should we just let him get on with it because tragedy is part of life?
S. BROAD, Sawston, Cambs.