Sunday, April 24, 2016

Ecosystems: Why We Need Wolves and Humans

Ocassionally, I read comments, from those who feel meat-eating humans are cruel, that all humans need to be vegans. I have, politely, pointed out the many reasons there are flaws in that way of thinking, because meat-eating humans are also an important part of our current ecosystems.

I can understand why vegans turn their noses up to other's food choices, I too might feel similar if I had to eat a bug. However, thankfully, there are other creatures on our planet that are bug eaters, which can handle this ecosystem responsibility.

Yet, I can't understand how people are irate over a cannulated cow because of the purpose it serves. Isn't it the same principle of what we do to humans with a colostomy or a tracheostomy? We're putting holes in our bodies for quality of life, among other things. What's the difference?

Thankfully, I know a few vegans etc., that aren't being sanctimonious over another's food choice. They, obviously, understand the need for balanced ecosystems. They eat their plant life, but don't act smug about another's decision by calling all humans cruel barbarians. Seriously?! Compared to how wild animals hunt and eat, the majority of humans are not cruel. I've watched many who hunt and fish, even watched some who raise our food sources. Please don't classify them under the same umbrella as other humans who act like wild animals. I do mean "wild animals" and not the cutey, animated ones.

Yesterday, a friend shared a link (see below) regarding the importance of having wolves in our ecosystems. I had learned about this, some time ago, through a television program regarding wolves in Yellowstone. Upon visiting Yellowstone, one year, I saw this in action; a wolf on a hunt. It was also the first thing listed on the ten reasons we need wolves.

"Reason 1: Without wolves and other large predators, ecosystems can go haywire. A 2001 study found that when wolves went extinct in Yellowstone, for example, the moose population ballooned to five times its normal size and demolished woody vegetation where birds nested. As a result, several bird species were eliminated in the park."

To read the other important and very interesting reasons, please go to link.

http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2011/05/10-reasons-we-need-wolves.html?m=1

In summary, it was humans that took wolves out of Yellowstone and it was humans that realized their mistake and brought them back. We're constantly learning. We know that some animals eat grass and grain and their manure helps fertilize the grass and grain. Some animals, including humans, maintain the balance by eating other animals, fish and fowl, along with grass and grain. We may not always want to understand certain methods utilized, but we know the importance of raising or growing more food due to human population expansion, for example. However, we're slowing learning that it's wars, natural disasters, pestilence and diseases which helps maintain human overpopulation. No one is immune to the circle of life and death.

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