HAWKS SHOT BY FEDERAL AGENTS!
In Florida two adult, nesting, red shouldered hawks were shot by federal agents after attacking at least one guest of an exclusive golf resort. The hawks built their nest near the clubhouse and true to their nature were aggressively persistent in guarding their young. Apparently there were two eggs and the nest was removed with the eggs but it is not clear what happened to them.
It is not my intention here to say what could have or should have been done in this case. But it points out the difficulties inherent in human population continually expanding into wildlife territories. I live in the Los Angeles area in California. There are many hillside, mountainess areas heavily populated by those looking for beautiful landscapes and views. Periodically we have mountain lions (and even a couple of bears) entering these communities (which, of course was originally their territories) and attacking and killing pets and endangering lives of children and adults. Sometimes wildlife personnel are able to sedate and move the animal to a more distant location and sometimes they are shot and killed.
I wish I knew the answer to living in peace with our wildlife but the issue is not simplistic. Even moving the animal to a more distant location means that you have possibly moved it into another’s territory terminating in a terrible fight between the animals.
In Africa preserves have been established to protect animals. But there are never enough personnel to monitor these areas so poachers continue to operate and human population continues to encroach. But the most important issue in preserves is that they destroy the possibility of biodiversity. Animals are designed to migrate to seek mates (thus preventing inbreeding) and to seek new territories. I live near the Simi Freeway which is the major entrance/exit between the Simi Valley and the San Fernando Valley, two heavily populated areas. But what people don’t realize is that this freeway was a major wildlife corridor between the two areas providing the opportunity for the biodiversity I just mentioned.
There has to be a solution. I just don’t know what it is!