Subject: "Removing" non-native species
Date: Jan 9 18:57:10 1999
From: Ned McGarry - nmcgarry at gte.net


I'm guessing I left at least one person with the impression that I approve
of introduced species. That certainly wasn't my point.
I think the introduction of exotic species hovers up there with the top 10
most brain-dead things we've done over the years, and we have, are, and
will continue to suffer the consequences (zebra mussels in the Great Lakes
is a great example, albeit I believe they were accidentally introduced . .
.. how about cane toads in Queensland, Australia? . . . now there's a smooth
move).

I would also like to clarify another potential misunderstanding of my
earlier message. I do not think we should summarily sit back and say,
"Oops, oh well, I guess we'll just have to live and let live.", and do
nothing to mitigate our mistakes if possible. I just think in the specific
case of these introduced and *extremely well established* birds (they've
won already, don't you think?), our limited resources (public and private)
are better targeted at helping native species survive and recover as best
as they can in spite of the non-natives who are here to stay no matter what
we do with pellet guns (or laser pointers).

Ned McGarry
Kirkland, WA
nmcgarry at gte.net