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Carnivore Catchers: Silly Pranksters or Serious Poachers?By KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant Recently, a tourist to Florida stole a live alligator from a Daytona Beach attraction. He was arrested a short time later in a hotel parking lot, where he was discovered carrying the creature under his arm while holding its jaw clamped tightly shut. The fact that the 'gator was a dangerous carnivore-meat eater, that is-obviously did not escape the tourist's notice. The fact that there are laws protecting the rights of our 'gators, though, apparently did. The tourist was charged not only with theft (for taking the gator from the attraction, a commercial enterprise) but also with alligator poaching.
Poaching is hunting under illegal conditions. Throughout Florida, the U.S. and much of the world, hunting is a strictly regulated business. Hunters must obtain permits, pay attention to designated hunting seasons and areas, hunt with proper equipment and stay within legal limits regarding size, number and kind of animals taken. Usually, poachers kill their "game," but taking live "game" is also considered poaching. "Please don't take our carnivorous reptiles," read the headline of an article published recently in The Daytona Beach News-Journal. In the article, the columnist explored reasons people might be drawn to theft of our exotic wildlife. To some, it may seem like just a prank, but those who have considered all the factors must realize that it may prove to be dangerous for the humans who come into contact with the illicit (illegal) animals, for those animals themselves and, sometimes, for an entire species. At one level, poachers may think they are taking home a "cute" pet-but most wild animals prove to be anything but that. Most have special needs-diet and habitat, for example, that are hard to provide artificially. Also, animals that seem cute when they are small are altogether something else when they grow up-alligators, for instance, can reach 20 or more feet in length. A baby alligator may look great in the bathtub, but try caring for it when it gets to be an adult! It's safe to say that few individuals can provide for even the most basic needs of wild animals, let alone offer an environment in which the animal is comfortable or happy. In fact, many animals that are taken illegally to be used as pets will die. Lack of proper diet and other nutrients, separation from their own species, excessive handling, lack of space and more factor into whether a captive animal will live or die in captivity. In early days, some explorers did capture game simply to satisfy their curiosity. If laws, similar to the ones that are on the books today, had existed in those times, some of the collectors might have been considered poachers. However, the world has gained from the knowledge they made possible. Former President Theodore Roosevelt, for example, hunted and killed wild game all over the world, from antelope and bison, in North America, to African wildebeest and zebu. (Look up these animals, if you don't already know about them, to find out how interesting they are.) Mr. Roosevelt also had an interest in zoology (the science of animals), and he sometimes used the game he had killed to learn more about the animals' characteristics. Other scientists captured live animals in attempts to learn more about them. We owe many of our advancements in science to naturalists who observed and recorded animal behaviors. Is there a place in our society for the collecting of wild animals - alive or dead? Before you solidify your opinion, take a look at the newspaper activities and web links provided below. You're bound to learn even more about this issue. Try these interesting activities using The Daytona Beach News-Journal1. Poaching of animals is hunting, for live collection or kill, in an illegal manner, such as taking game out of season or capturing an endangered animal. Most hunters stay within the law, and hunting for sport is extremely popular in some areas. Still, many people are against hunting in general. They think that hunting, especially for sport, should be made illegal because it is cruel to animals. What's your opinion? Study editorials (opinion articles) and letters to the editor in The News-Journal and use them as guides in writing your own letter, or draw an editorial cartoon to express your opinion. Submit your work to the editor of The News-Journal or your local newspaper for possible publication. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.2.2.3, LA.B.2.2.1, SC.G.1.2.1, SC.G.2.2.2)
2. Wild animals do not generally make good pets, but there are many domestic (tame) animals that need good homes. Imagine that you have permission to adopt a pet. Search The News-Journal's classified section for the pet of your dreams. On a large sheet of paper, draw a picture of your pet using the description found in the ad. Clip items you would like your pet to have, such as food items, bedding and exercise equipment, etc. Paste your clippings onto the paper to form a collage. Make a plan for having such a pet some day and display your creation in a prominent place for others to enjoy. (Sunshine State Standards: SC.G.1.2.5, SC.G.2.2.3) 3. Skim issues of The News-Journal for articles about animals whose populations are endangered. Write a paragraph explaining how you believe the endangered animal(s) might be saved from extinction. Ask a parent or teacher to listen while you give a short presentation about the animal(s). Submit your work to www.nieworld.com for possible publication on the web site. (Sunshine State Standards: SC.G.1.2.5, SC.G.2.2.3) 4. Clip photos, from The News-Journal, of interesting plants and animals. Group to show relationships among them, such as by foods they eat, habitat, etc. Make a list of ways you found to group your collection. Choose your favorite arrangement and glue your clippings onto a sheet of paper. Label your work and then hang it on a refrigerator or bulletin board to teach others. (Sunshine State Standards: SC.F.1.2.2, SC.G.1.2.1, SC.G.1.2.2, SC.G.1.2.5, SC.G.2.2.2) 5. Read the comics page in The News-Journal. Are there many animals featured? Select one of the animals, or one of your own choosing, and create an original comic strip about it. If possible, submit your work to your school or community newspaper. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.B.2.2.3, LA.B.2.2.5) A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org. Check out these links to learn moreLegend has it that former President Theodore Roosevelt started the whole "fad" of the stuffed teddy bear by once refusing to shoot a captured bear. Read the history for yourself, and learn something new about the teddy bear. www.westorange.k12.nj.us
People who study the natural environment are called "naturalists." Take a look at this site filled with activities for young naturalists. floridaplants.com Find out how one naturalist and exotic animal collector started a wildlife conservation program all on his own. This wildlife preservation site will entrance and entertain you. www.wpti.org The founder of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Mr. Gerald Durrell, has written many funny books about his adventures with some fascinating creatures. Click on the link to whet your appetite for his tales; then ask a parent, librarian or media specialist to help you locate them to read. Later, follow up by sharing some of the books' highlights with others. www.thewildones.org It's easy to lose track of time while browsing these student projects, which include great artwork, facts and links to interviews with conservationists the world over. www.thewildones.org For fast facts and fun activities, visit the site provided by the Florida Hunting and Game/Fish and Wildlife Commission. You'll find such sections as "critter questions" and lots of awesome information about Florida's wildlife. wildflorida.org This site is all about alligators. While you're there, don't miss the link named "Especially for Kids." wildflorida.org The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world, which may contain additional news stories about this topic. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries. The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published October 14, 2002 |
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