|
To stop the slaughter of the Santa Cruz Island Pigs
From Rick Feldman - plaintiff in Law suit
 I think it would be helpful to supporters of IDA to know how I became involved in the battle to save The Santa Cruz Island Pigs.
My first knowledge of the issue came during Dec, 2004 when I attended a local (Santa Barbara) meeting of CHIAPA (Channel Islands Animal Protective Association). Bear in mind that the planning for this atrocity had been going on for at least two years. During all of that time the National Park Service and Nature Conservancy who are joint owners of this approx 90 sq mile Island had been working in secret to propound a plan to do away w/over 2000 wild pigs that have inhabited the Island for over 150 yrs. I use the word "secret" because there is very little evidence of public discussion and we learned recently from the former Park Service Director that this was their intention (see Santa Barbara News Press article by Tim Setnicka).
What we now know is that the Nature Conservancy intentionally vilified the pigs in order to justify their eradication, so that they might save the declining population of the Island Fox. The truth is that the events occurred as follows:
- In the 1990’s over 30,000 wild sheep were killed and left to rot on the island.
- The Bald Eagle Population which was very territorial and feeds mostly on aquarian life had declined as a result of overuse and misuse of DDT on and around The Channel Islands.
- The decline in Bald Eagles paved the way for Golden Eagles which are hunter/meat eaters to populate the island. Especially after the sheep slaughter which attracted Golden Eagles in large numbers.
- The Golden Eagles proceeded to prey on Island Foxes, and of course, piglets and smaller pigs.
- No pig has ever killed a fox, so the Feds and the Nature Conservancy alleged that the pigs were rototilling the soil (all 90 sq miles of it?) which was endangering native flora and fauna, digging up ancient Chumash Indian campsites, and attracting the Golden Eagles who were the main culprit to the decline in Island Foxes.
I scratched my head as I listened to this very flawed argument and asked myself how killing thousands of wild pigs and leaving their carcasses to rot was going to help anything. If the plan to "restore the Island to it’s natural state" by revitalizing the Bald Eagle Population and thereby driving off the Golden Eagles so the foxes will be left alone, then how are thousands of pig carcasses littering the landscape over a period of 3-7 years going to figure in that equation? You guessed right-it won’t work.
Then comes the news of how they will rid the island of these villainous pigs. Well, they hired a New Zealand company called PROHUNT to do the job at a projected cost of over $6,000,000 TAXPAYER dollars (Although Nature Conservancy is said to be footing a portion of the bill - we shall see). By the way, have you ever seen a Govt. project come in on or under budget?
Prohunt started the hunt on April 6 and to date has gleefully announced that they are ahead of schedule w/the current number slaughtered at well over 1000. Some say there are as many as 5,000 pigs on the island, but my best guess is that there were approx 2-3000. The most horrific part of the plan is what the Park Service refers to as the Humane Methods being employed. By their own admission - "it’s going to be a mess" said Russel Gallipeau - Park Service Director, at a meeting I attended with him in his office.
At that meeting I asked him to take a look at the latest science on how the "herd" might be thinned out and other alternatives to the plan be explored. His answer was "this is the plan and we will kill every last pig". This is the attitude that precluded real consideration of any real alternatives to the mission to "restore the Island to it’s original state". Which is why I am now suing the Park Service and The Nature Conservancy to stop THE INSANITY.
I am most grateful that since the story of my suit hit the press, I guess because I am not an attorney, offers of help have been pouring in. The first call I received from an any non-profit animal protection group was from Dr. Katz, President and Founder of IDA. I’m very thankful for all of the support from Dr. Katz and his organization. We will need all the help we can get to win a Restraining Order, so that this badly flawed and vicious plan may be reconsidered.
As you read this, pigs are being trapped, baited and shot from helicopters. Dogs are being used to hunt down and attack wonded pigs. Some of the dogs will be ripped up by trapped boars. Motherless baby piglets are wandering around dazed, wounded and hungry, while hunters on foot seek them out to club and(or) stab them to death. Fields of fennel will be burned along with the pigs that are seeking shelter from the hunters. All this in the name of "restoration" — NONSENSE!
You can help with your donations to help save the pigs and stop this horrific event. Note that all donations to the cause will be spent specifically on this legal effort.
Contributions can be made payable and sent to:
IDA/Santa Cruz Island Wildlife, 3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael CA 94901.
Or, by credit card, click on "Donate Now" and designate "Santa Cruz Island Wildlife" in the First Name field of the "on behalf of" section of the form.
Do I need to say more? - Of course not!
God Bless In Defense of Animals and all of you who share belief in their mission.
Sincerely,
Rick Feldman
1 S. Milpas St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805)-965-7120 |
