10,000 Birds

AUGUST 1, 2011

Yes, they have been an endangered species for as long as most of us can recall, but remember, they were traditionally a hunted species. In my home state, Bald Eagles are breeding in 35 Ohio counties. Bald Eagles will provide a sporting challenge for hunters. Hunters don’t even need to use decoys.

Bald Eagle 257

Bald Eagle Eagles Hunting Kentucky 257

10,000 Birds

MARCH 13, 2012

The land was of course already occupied by San (Bushmen) hunter-gatherers for millennia and more recently Bantu tribes of the Nguni branch (most notably Zulus and Xhosas). James Wakelin is prime example of modern ornithologist and conservator. Hugh Chittenden is a master photographer and birder who has done many studies of local birds.

Mozambique 188

Mozambique South Africa Africa Collecting 188

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

So, one might surmise, it’s OK if they get shot by hunters thinking they’re sandhill cranes? Another 170 are in captivity, many of them breeding stock for reintroduction efforts. What could motivate gunmen (I cannot call them hunters) in two states to deliberately kill North America’s tallest and most critically endangered bird?

2011 242

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 242

10,000 Birds

JULY 11, 2012

By way of an example take the Western Gulls that I studied on the Farallon Islands in California. But you can take solace in the results at the end of the breeding year, when loafing around the intertidal are a shiny new cohort of finely plumage grey youngsters, all ready to carry on Western Gull line into the future.

Animal Rights 264

Animal Rights Rights New Zealand Animal 264