Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!husc6!encore!news From: news@encore.UUCP (Newsboy) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: hookbills, you asked for it, you know, posting to rec.birds... Summary: Humans can be good for birds Keywords: conservation, birds, cages Message-ID: <3898@encore.UUCP> Date: 17 Oct 88 14:52:20 GMT References: <1103@leah.Albany.Edu> <1521@valhalla.ee.rochester.edu> Sender: news@husc6.harvard.edu Reply-To: kaufman@maxzilla.UUCP (Lar Kaufman) Organization: Encore Computer Corp, Marlboro, MA Lines: 43 survive through captive breeding efforts. Yes, there are deaths attributable to the bird capture/distribution system. However, a vast majority of these losses are caused by illegal operations - smuggling and trapping. It is an unfortunate fact that the hookbills that are endangered are almost exclusively endangered because of loss of habitat rather than the predations of those who trap birds for "the trade." Do not construe this to be an endorsement of the current world system in bird trading, which does need to be improved through international efforts at control. What can you do? Buy a captive-born bird. This supports breeders, who have already saved some species from extinction. (Also, the bird will be much tamer/happier than the typical wild-caught bird.) Do NOT criticize those who keep imported birds. Most of the imported birds (especially those imported legally) are not endangered, but their habitat is diminishing in the wilds, and their removal does not in itself adversely impact wild populations. Support responsible legislation. I have to stress _responsible_ here; a recent importation law supported by the US SPCA regarding the size and configuration of shipping cages for transport of birds causes increased injury and death to transported birds than the cages that were normally being used. Finally, join a responsible birding organization. I can recommend the Massachusetts SPCA, the Massachusetts and National Audubon Associations, and the American Federation of Aviculture. There are others, of course. Why deny yourself the companionship and enhanced appreciation of these wonderful and intelligent birds? Just take responsibility for your actions. If you just want a pet, don't get an endangered bird; leave them for breeders. -lar__ From: kaufman@maxzilla.Encore.COM (Lar Kaufman) Path: maxzilla!kaufman / \ disclaimer: _cave_canem_ Lar Kaufman /" (_) Fidonet: 1:322/470@508-534-1842 / \ Internet: kaufman@multimax.arpa Q_,') \ UUCP: {bu-cs,decvax,necntc,linus,talcott}!encore!kaufman