For arguments sake, if we were to allow hobbyists to have these species,
should there be a screening process? What would the requirements be? I'd
be interested in hearing anyones comments on this specifically.
Nick Zarlinga
Aquarium Biologist
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
216.661.6500 ext 4485
><)> -----Original Message-----
><)> From: owner-nanfa_at_aquaria.net
><)> On Behalf
><)> Of Steffen Hellner
><)> Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 4:18 AM
><)> To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
><)> Subject: Re: NANFA-- Collecting ethics
><)>
><)>
><)> > Steffen, the way that I see it, you are trying
><)> to split hairs.
><)> That4s not my intention.
><)>
><)> > I would not necessarily argue against your points.
><)> > There are some hobbyists which are
><)> > very good about the conservation of a species
><)> and are "responsible" enough
><)> > to be able to keep certain endangered,
><)> threatened, or special concern
><)> > species. The problem is that those exceptional
><)> hobbyists are still
><)> > *hobbyists*; as opposed to a professional-one
><)> whose sole job is to know,
><)> > learn, and conserve these animals.
><)> This can be an advantage but as well the opposite.
><)> Why else are many
><)> hobbyists so far ahead in particular knowledge?
><)> Many biologists I have
><)> encountered are "well educated" but don4t have
><)> passion. And only passion
><)> (and dedication) makes progress and innovation. A
><)> job can just be a job and
><)> then a position is mis-occupied from the point of
><)> efficiency. It4s the same
><)> for each and every profession.
><)>
><)> > Now, let me shut the door that someone
><)> > is just waiting to open by saying that ***being
><)> a professional does not
><)> make
><)> > you better than a hobbyist.*** It is just that
><)> it is the job of the
><)> > professional to make the time and have the
><)> resources to deal with these
><)> > animals in a more responsible matter.
><)> I highly doubt this if generalized. Not every
><)> professional in nature
><)> conservation is a Grzimek or Chico Mendez.
><)>
><)> > This is a designation that our
><)> > society looks at on any subject.
><)> The old mistake to see any educated person as a
><)> professional.
><)>
><)> > The system is far from perfect but just
><)> > look at what we have to show for it. Ask any
><)> anyone who regularly deals
><)> > with the vast majority of hobbyists in one
><)> fashion or another. Many
><)> > hobbyists (the dangerous ones ;) think that they
><)> are on top of their game,
><)> > but a truly sincere hobbyist [and professional]
><)> knows that what you learn
><)> is
><)> > simply a better understanding of how much more
><)> you really don't know.
><)> No doubt, there are numerous black sheep within
><)> the flock of hobbyists. But
><)> as well vice versa in scientists and wildlife managers.
><)>
><)> > On this topic, due to numbers alone, hobbyists
><)> as a whole can not be
><)> trusted
><)> > to keep these types of species because they
><)> don't generally put in the time
><)> > and effort to know their species. Again,
><)> understand that we are talking
><)> > groups and not individuals.
><)> Yes and no. Who else could do it? Zoos are crowded
><)> and are better on big
><)> species (primates, crocs, monitors etc.)
><)>
><)> > So, by saying that you or anyone else should be
><)> allowed to keep and try to
><)> > propogate species X, you are saying that some
><)> > people not in the profession can accept the
><)> responsibility. How are
><)> > officials to know who those people are? Do you
><)> have to fill out a
><)> > questionaire? an inspection of your tanks?
><)> references? etc? That creates
><)> > more work for officials.
><)> Cynically replied, the plus in work is worth
><)> tipping the canoe over?
><)>
><)> > As we all agree, we need devote our resources to
><)> > save the species' habitat and not argue about
><)> who should and shouldn't be
><)> > allowed to keep and breed the animals. Again,
><)> it is far from perfect, but
><)> > it is a system that does afford some protection
><)> to many different species.
><)> Can4t see the protection by limiting hobbyists and
><)> letting the industry go
><)> on with pollution and destruction. Try to limit
><)> the fishermen - and then
><)> protect your ears from the loud shout in the
><)> public. We4re the easier to
><)> shoot game.
><)>
><)> > I agree, taking a few representatives from a
><)> population probably won't do
><)> it
><)> > much harm (exceptions of course!), but allowing
><)> some and not others to
><)> > collect and posess these animals is a logistical
><)> nightmare. I think it is
><)> > better shut it down, and shoot for habitat
><)> protection instead.
><)> No doubt, habitat is most important. But first we
><)> have to examine the limits
><)> for habitat conditions to define up to what limit
><)> it is suitable for the
><)> species (and v.v.). This is fieldwork AND
><)> observation in captivity. But this
><)> is only my personal particular sight. Other may
><)> and will think different
><)> upon this.
><)>
><)> Steffen
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