gss@edsdrd.eds.com (Gary Schiltz) (07/12/90)
NOTE: It isn't my habit to post animal rights stuff to this newsgroup,
but since this pertains to birds, I hope no one is offended. I am
an avid birder (and reader of rec.birds) and a great fan of crows,
and feel they are one of the most intelligent and interesting species
of birds around. I just read of the proposed poisoning of a roost of
200,000 crows in California. To say the least, I am opposed to this,
and am writing letters to that effect. I must also note that my
information is from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals),
a group which although I support, often leans further toward the
reactionary side of the "Environmentalist" spectrum than I am
comfortable with. I don't feel they are reactionary in this situation.
In any case, "Buyer Beware."
The following article is quoted without permission from PETA News,
July/August 1990:
--------------------------- BEGIN QUOTED ARTICLE -----------------------------
PETA SAYS: POISONING OF CROWS NOT SO SWEET
For as long as can be remembered, the crow has roosted in what were once
the safe confines of Yuba City, California. Many local residents still thrill
to see these beautiful birds gathering for their annual social gala, picking
their mates and building nests in preparation for raising their young. Now,
due to the suburbanization of Yuba City, the Sutter County Department of
Agriculture (SCDA) is preparing to poison about 200,000 crows.
The intended poison, Starlicide, would devastate the crows, causing
thousands to suffer and die, with family groups torn apart. The poison is
not even approved for crows. Purina Mills, the manufacturer, claims that
the amount of poison necessary to produce the "desired kill ratio" would
have to be used in such large amounts that secondary poisonings to other
species could be catastrophical.
The crows are attracted to a single acre walnut grove next to Sunsweet
Growers, Inc. This year, the SCDA planned to place the poison on Sunsweet
Growers' roof. Under pressure from PETA, Sun Diamond Growers, Inc.,
Sunsweet's parent company, has told us it will not permit any poison to be
placed on its properties, but it refuses to put this promise in writing.
Although the SCDA has access to a list of non-lethal, readily available
and cost-effective alternatives to poisoning, the department firmly defends
poison. As a result, PETA is exploring legal action.
Safeguarding the environment and protecting wildlife go hand in hand.
The current "quick fix" trend of killing off individuals of a species, just
because of the human lust for shopping malls and luxury housing on
dwindling natural habitat, must be stopped. Learning to peacefully coexist
is a goal all government agencies, private industries and individual
citizens must share. To the crows in Yuba City, it is a goal that _must_
be reached now.
What YOU Can Do
* Write Sun Diamond Growers, Inc. at 1050 S. Diamond, Stockton, CA 95201
and let them know that you _strongly_ oppose allowing poison to be
placed on their property to kill crows.
* Write Mayor Dennis Nelson at the Yuba City Hall, 2040 C St., Yuba, CA
95991 or call him at (916) 741-4609 and tell him that if he absolutely
must attempt to remove the crows, he should seek safe, alternative
methods.
* Also write Stacy Carlsen, Sutter County Agricultural Commissioner, 142
Garden Hwy., Yuba City, CA 95991.
--------------------------- END QUOTED ARTICLE -----------------------------
/\ What cheer, /\ | Gary Schiltz, EDS R&D, 3551 Hamlin Road |
/ o< cheer, <o \ | Auburn Hills, MI 48057, (313) 370-1737 |
\\/ ) / cheer, \ ( \// | gss@edsdrd.eds.com |
\ / cheer!!! \ / | "Have bird will watch ..." |
| Standard disclaimer in effect. |rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura) (07/13/90)
In article <102@kepsalu.edsdrd.eds.com> gss@edsdrd.eds.com (Gary Schiltz) writes: > > NOTE: It isn't my habit to post animal rights stuff to this newsgroup, > but since this pertains to birds, I hope no one is offended. I am > an avid birder (and reader of rec.birds) and a great fan of crows, > and feel they are one of the most intelligent and interesting species > of birds around. I just read of the proposed poisoning of a roost of > 200,000 crows in California. To say the least, I am opposed to this, > and am writing letters to that effect... This is really appalling. Thanks for posting it. As a birder I too have developed quite an admiration for crows. I'll join you in expressing outrage. -- - Ron Mura, Boston, Mass. rmura@world.std.com