While agreeing entirely with the sentiments of Dean Portelli and Kym Bennet
with regards to issues of animal welfare (did we ever discuss battery
farming of poultry yet?) the problem that I have so far with this debate is
that those speaking out against the practice of leg flagging are not
producing concrete evidence or even rational argument in some cases.
Dean gives us some thought provoking observations and suggests that the
practice be reviewed on the basis of on an opinion derived from anecdotal
evidence.
My personal experience leads me to the opposite conclusion so do we have a
basis for a rational discussion? No.
These banding projects are reviewed by the appropriate national authorities
on a continuing basis. So far no country has found substantial cause to
halt the practice. Documneted cases of problems relating to leg-flagged
waders in Australia should be sent to Environment Australia such that the
information enters the review process.
We could conduct a birding-aus based review where by people promptly submit
sightings of injured waders so that others members of the list have the
opportunity to see for themselves. Posting photographs would be another
method for keeping us aware of the problems. This would be a very powerful
way of investigating this issue. Total numbers, numbers of flagged
individuals and numbers of injured individuals both flagged and unflagged
should be reported. I would be right there with the strongest opponents if
I were to be convinced that significant suffering is being inflicted.
People are the biggest threat to shorebirds. It is important that data are
generated that may be in turn used in the political arena to counter
hunting, disturbance, habitat destruction etc.
Dr P.J. Milburn
Biomolecular Resource Facility
Australian National University
GPO Box 334
Canberra
ACT 0200
+61 2 6125 4173 'Phone
+61 2 6125 4326 FAX
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