10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2019

They may have been disturbed by the presence of hunters in the Danube backwaters. When I reached the levee earlier that morning, I met an elderly hunter from whom I learned that there was an ongoing duck and pheasant hunt, but no one was shooting from, nor towards the embankment, hence I should be safe there.

Serbia 242

Serbia Otters Boars Eagles 242

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2022

While it is listed as Least Concern, it is rare in China – the range map in the HBW barely touches Chinese territory. The Latin name “ chinensis ” is somewhat misleading as is much more common in Southeast Asia than in China – apparently, it was chosen in the mistaken belief that the type specimen had come from China.

Birds 147

Birds Myanmar China Chicago 147

10,000 Birds

MARCH 2, 2023

Maybe those should be protected too? Given that the Black Kite is politely described as an “opportunistic hunter” – which includes the fact that they are more likely to scavenge than most other raptors – the name choice of the company protecting the world’s cyber ecosystem is a bit weird.

Birds 130

Birds Iraq China Ireland 130

10,000 Birds

MARCH 3, 2022

The new Guide to the Birds of China (John MacKinnon) has been published. This is partly due to hunting in China, where about 90% of the species winter (HBW). But then, I am not a hunter, and do not understand them either). Fortunately, some birds seem to be ok with a concrete environment – like this Blue Rock Thrush.

Raccoons 203

Raccoons Birds Oregon China 203

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 3, 2015

And then, in 1996, a farmer/fossil-hunter named Li Yinfang found a unique fossil in his home province of Liaoning–a beautifully preserved turkey-sized creature that clearly had feathers. People and history come into play in “The dinosaur hunters,” a chapter on larger than life personalities such as E.D. No feathers!

Mongolia 178

Mongolia Science Reptiles Indiana 178

4 The Love Of Animals

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

For example, shark fin soup is a delicacy in most of Asia, especially China. While there are laws in place protecting endangered species of shark from shark finning, international waters are rarely regulated when it comes to the practice. In fact, dried shark fin can go for as much as $300 a pound or more.

Sharks 100

Sharks Asia Endangered Species Hunters 100

Animal Ethics

DECEMBER 23, 2006

The point is that even hunters seem to think that they need a reason to justify killing these animals. You don't find many hunters who candidly and unapologetically say: "I hunt because I like to kill. Of course, when hamburgers aren't at stake, most of us think that it would be morally wrong to kill an animal for no good reason.

Factory Farm 40

Factory Farm Factory Farming Morals Meat 40