Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickyrick
I just don't think the nine guys, and the handful of snakes that I suspect are reused show after show is hurting much.
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And what of the message the show gives? Does it do anything to increase our knowledge of animals, our respect for them? Does it showcase their beauty? Does it tell interesting or funny stories? Really what is the point of it beyond catering to people's fears of snakes and feeding those fears? Why air it on Animal Planet when it only insults the animal?
Certainly habitat destruction is a greater threat to rattlesnakes overall than hunting and roundups, but hunting and roundups effect healthy habitats, and encourage ill feelings towards snakes that make it more difficult to protect their habitats.
On another note, I seem to recall research that indicated some populations of rattlesnakes were being badly effected by hunting, to the extent that it was driving the survival of rattlesnakes that do not readily rattle, as those that more readily announce their presence got weeded out of the population.
Also, as I understand it the permits to hunt rattlesnakes are very easy to get, and the hunting is still pretty much not regulated. There is nothing wrong with hunting, but shouldn't caution be given when there is no real research to indicate just how much hunting a population of snakes can take before collapsing?
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