I appreciate the time you've taken to follow up, clarify and give me a
better picture of what you were describing. I was thrown by "In Ohio, great
lengths are being taken to preserve a single (our last) population of
blandings turtles." I think now the parameter on your thought was for
Cuyhahoga county. My appologies if I made even a drop of blood boil with my
triste :)
I also understand your point. It seems the monies could be better spent a
couple counties over where they would interact with stronger populations
inside the range.
But... Never underestimate the power of marketing. Yes, it might look like
a waste to you, I'm sure Mr. Lipps has his proverbial "You know what drives
me nuts...?" about it, etc But there is something here...
Understand when a Development team is out at Corporations and such hunting
for money... Having projects like this in the grand scheme of something huge
like "The Cleveland Metroparks", the amount spent on what may seem an
exercise in futility to the educated, can generate a lot of interest in the
ignorant. Basically, Development teams need rare stuff. Why? Because it's
a human condition to desire to "posses" something no one else has. And it
makes it sound soooo important (which really it is, but probably more so to
other species who have their Genotype intact)
The Federally Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly project I worked on can give
another angle on this... I do agree with you... It wouldn't (as you've said)
be a good example of what hasn't been studied and deemed "severely
threatened" and consequently protected to the extreme. But what does this
protection and money afford?
The project in the Oak Openings of Ohio is pretty much a replant of the
population from Allegan, Michigan. Basically... They're only expanding the
range of what was left in that island of a Genotype. The KBB was extirpated
in 1988 from the Oak Openings.
My thinking says exactly what your point is... Spend the money expanding the
range around Allegan. They have a huge area up the southwestern side of
Michigan that could be restored into the perfect habitat. That is, until I
watch potential donors get "Karner Blue Eyes" here in Ohio and realize how
many other species (plants too!) are thriving locally because of the
protection received under the financial resources blanket this little blue
jewel provides.
Then I'm like "Cool. Bring some more down."
I guess that's my illustration for the day and I'll just shut up now :)
FWIW a tidbit. The Karner is also known as Nabokov's butterfly. The famous
author was the formal descriptor of the species (and an avid lepidopterist).
I loved walking into work every morning and going:
"How are all my little blue Lolitas this morning? Sassy?"
Todd
----- Original Message -----
From: "mike sandel" <kwksand_at_yahoo.com>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: NANFA-- r (hellbenders plus!)
> I beleive conservation is more effective when
> approached as a study of populations as a whole, as
> opposed to the maintenance of organisms within an
> institution.
>
> Ray's examples are more appropriate to the forum than
> this, so I will not add to the list. My main point is
> repeated here, so read on if interested.
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