From Simon Holloway
I find it extraordinary that Bill Barnes recommends “controlled hunting” as a means of species preservation. Why does it appear necessary to some to reduce species populations to more viable levels by hunting, when “environmental circumstances” and disease are already achieving this reduction (1 November, p 21)?
The passenger pigeon’s extinction is well documented. The species was first hunted at a low level, then in the last few decades of the 19th century at industrial scales until it suffered its ultimate population crash.
The passenger pigeon’s biology required very high densities of birds for successful breeding and feeding – circumstances that the severely reduced numbers could not maintain.
Those who support recreational hunting of animals, fish and birds regularly try to justify their activities by claiming that they are helpful to their target’s survival. There are almost no examples where these claims can be supported. Face it, all first-world hunting is done for fun.
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Ludlow, Shropshire, UK
