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March 30, 2005
But They're So Cute
Break out your baseball bats, it's baby seal killing time again.
Animal rights groups have begun fresh public campaigns timed for the start of the annual seal hunt off the coast of Canada this week and suggestions that South Africa may kill elephants for population control.
Because you know, it's much better to let them die slowly of diseases and starvation than a quick blow to the head. [/sarcasm]
Too many people are disconnected from the realities of nature and have a 'But They're So Cute' (BTSC) syndrome. Like the lady looking at a panda at the San Diego zoo who asked me "Oh, it's so cute! Wouldn't you like to climb in there & just give it a hug?" To which I replied something like "Are you crazy, lady? That's a freaking bear." And a freaking ill-tempered bear to boot.
Animal rights group WWF uses the panda as its trademark symbol, a cute and cuddly bear with black and white markings.
"It actually is solitary, ill-tempered, and aggressive, but never mind Mere facts cannot compete with perception," natural history writer Stephen Budiansky writes in his book "The Covenant of the Wild."
I think I'd rather attempt to hug a buzzsaw. I would probably crawl away in better shape.
BTSC sufferers ignore the fact that wild animals are, you know, wild. They don't want to snuggle with you. They usually view you in one of three ways: 1) something harmless to be ignored; 2) a food source; 3) a threat. And the latter two are much more likely than the first. (Actually there's a fourth option, as a breeding partner. But I'd rather not discuss that.)
Nature is not cute and cuddly. In fact, it's rather brutal. Especially in the way it deals with overpopulation. Since we're partly to blame for certain animals' overbreeding, I think it's only right that we deal with the results. When the only choice is slow starvation or a quick death by a sharp blow to the head, well, that's not a tough decision.
Batter up.
Posted by Rita at March 30, 2005 07:52 AM
Comments
Personally I find the whole fur industry appalling, because I am creeped out by fur. That includes fake fur. It's just not right.
HOWEVER, I have no problem with people killing baby seals. It's a friggin' seal, fer crissake. Given the chance, it will gut you like a fish.
Posted by: Keith at March 30, 2005 09:34 AM
I like real fur, especially this silver fox coat we found in NYC once that I wouldn't let Mike buy for me b/c it cost over $1200 & I told him I wasn't worth that much. I've never cared much for mink though. If you'd ever spent any time with a mink, you'd volunteer to electrocute 'em. Trust me.
Velour, now that gives me the creeps. Ugh!
Posted by: rita at March 30, 2005 07:47 PM