John Leonard's comments are absolutely spot on, I was just about to write
the same thing and we don't even need to be as obscure as discussing
microwaves. I think this is an important point. Whilst export of all species
is restricted, the pressure is on the not so rare species. Even as bad as
the smuggling trade is (on animal welfare grounds), whilst galahs and
sulphur-crested cockatoos etc remain rare for collectors overseas, the
pressure is on those species. Their population status can cope and could
possibly even handle annual decimation (of young birds) under poaching
pressure. Although the current rate of loss from poaching such abundant
species would be nowhere near one in ten (ie decimation), more like one in
100000s. If such species are made cheaply available overseas, that would not
satisfy the demand. The psychology of collection is such that pressure would
increasingly flow down to the rarer species. Sadly they can least handle it.
Legal export of common species would increase, not decrease, pressure on
rare species.
Another point is, some of these species could be harmful if they become
established in foreign lands, just as many foreign species have become here.
As good global citizens, we should try to avoid those problems happening
elsewhere.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Leonard <>
To: <>
Date: Thursday, 6 August 1998 12:18
Subject: re: wildlife harvesting
>A danger I see in wildlife harvesting which no-one has so far pointed out
as
>a far as I know is that an increased supply of wildlife will create a new
>demand.
>
>Before microwave ovens were invented no-one wanted one (obviously); before
>they became relatively cheap then no-one much could think about getting
one.
>HOWEVER when they did become cheap they then became a necessity, a human
>right almost.
>
>If a greater supply of Australian wildlife comes on the market it risks
>creating an enormously greater demand, which will lead to an increase in
>legal trapping and export (which, don't forget, involves great cruelty to
the
>animals involved and danger to the environment) AND increasing the illegal
>trade in animals, as, as the common animals would now be available, then it
>becomes more desirable to have the rarer species, and there is more demand
>for these.
>
>John Leonard
>
>
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