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Giday birders,
I have been following
the story about the importation of Elephants into Australia with more than a
little interest. I will state that I don't know anything about elephant
conservation other than what I have heard in the media over the last few days,
so I may have the story completely wrong.
Anyway, the federal environment minister has given
approval for 8 - 10 asian elephants to be imported into Australia for a
captive breeding program being planned by several zoos, including Taronga in
Sydney. Apparently they (Taronga) are spending $14 million on a 2.5 Ha enclosure
for them. Other zoos are also involved, all saying that this will be wonderful
for conservation of the species, which one report said there were only 35 000
left in the wild.
My question is this. How is captive breeding (which
apparently hasn't worked very well for elephants in the past) in Australia
really going to help these beasts? I dare say the problems faced by Asian
Elephants are more to do with habitat destruction than lack of breeding success.
But more importantly, how much conservation of Australian wildlife could be done
with $14 million, plus transport costs, plus the amounts spent by other zoos.
Sure elephants are worth conserving, but when conservation dollars are hard to
come by, why not be a little smarter with those dollars.
How much land in the Capertee valley could be
bought and revegetated for Regent Honeyeater habitat, a bird whose numbers are
significantly lower than 35 000. How about hairy nosed wombats, even easier than
Regent He, as they don't move around so much?
Or is it just me?
Cheers
Graham Turner
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