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Large carnivores are extinct

Six of the world's largest predators have lost more than 90% of their habitat, according to a study published inRoyal Society Open Science.

Photography: Pauline Guilmot.
Photo: Pauline Guilmot.

Ethiopian wolf (CANIS SIMENSI), red wolf (Canis rufus), wolf (Lycaon pictus), tigers, lions and cheetahs are squeezed and pushed into tiny living areas because of the "occupation" of agricultural areas by man.

According to the researchers: "The reintroduction of carnivores to the areas where they used to be is an important and vital factor for the preservation of the natural environment", the reintroduction of carnivores to an area that has been "conquered" requires the goodwill and consent of the "occupiers", for the reintroduction to be successful, full cooperation is necessary of the people around.

Relying on the data of the Red List of the International Organization for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and comparing with the data collected from the last 500 years, the researchers mapped the habitats of 25 large predators. This mapping showed that habitat reduction of large carnivores is a problem on a global scale, 60% (15) of the 25 large carnivores surveyed have lost more than half of their historical habitats. From this, the researchers conclude that it is important to restore predators "with scientific methods" to historic habitats, a restoration that will restore vitality and diversity to the entire natural environment.

It is clear that the success of the restoration depends on the tolerance of the people towards the predators! Therefore, it is clear that the chance of success in reintroducing carnivores is much greater in areas where there are few farm animals, small agricultural areas and the "human density" is low. In addition to this, it is clear that there is a significant advantage to areas where there are large conservation areas towards which people naturally have a positive attitude.

"Human tolerance towards large carnivores will be the best way to save them from extinction", "so are large reserves which are urgently needed", "large reserves that will enhance the protection of large carnivores".

There is a chance that predators will return to areas where there will be a correct and good conservation policy, this is what happens in Europe with schooners, wolves and bears that for many years were pushed out of their habitats and today are returning to suitable areas, this is what happens with wolves and bears in the USA in Yellowstone Park, this is also how hyenas return to their habitats Disappeared in Africa and Asia and even the Australian dingo is in reasonable condition, not so the six predators mentioned above and for which vigorous restoration and conservation activities are needed.

In our country: in the early seventies when it was clear that there was a great chance of the return of the rams and wild animals and at the same time there was stability in the deer population, a proposal was made to try and return to the territory cheetahs and tigers, which were imported from Iran. The proposal was rejected due to fear that the predators would be a dangerous nuisance to farm animals, especially among the Bedouins who would respond with revenge and kill the predators. The events of the tiger's intrusion into Kibbutz Ein Gedi did not favor the project and thus the plan fell through, and it's a shame! (A.R.)

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7 תגובות

  1. Yosef - the problem is not eating, for every monkey that is hunted for eating, there are many that are hunted for sale to the West.
    I wish all the hunting in the world was just meat to eat.
    And there is also a problem that they hunt each other, the amount of humans that are murdered in these countries is more than the animals.
    In my opinion, it would have been better for them if they had not abolished colonialism, some nations are not capable of running a country by themselves. (This is probably also true for most of our neighbors)

  2. To Yosef - the problem is not eating, for every monkey that is hunted for food there are many that are hunted for sale to the West.
    I wish all the hunting in the world was just meat to eat.
    And there is also a problem that they hunt each other, the amount of humans that are murdered in these countries is more than the animals.
    In my opinion, it would have been better for them if they had not abolished colonialism, some nations are not capable of running a country by themselves. (Apparently this is also true for most of our Arab neighbors)

  3. The West is just as guilty. There are no animals left in the west. Today in Africa and South America the animals are in danger of extinction.

  4. Countries like South Africa raise farms of lions for hunting. The hunter pays $100000 and shoots the animals with permission. sad. What is the chance of a lion against a vehicle and a telescopic sight.
    They also believe that it is presumptuous on the part of the West to tell them that eating chimpanzees and gorillas is wrong, and marriage to 4 wives is wrong. The president there is married to several women as I recall.

  5. And as I often write: the time has come that instead of controlling the human population for the sake of the environment, there should be control of the environment for the sake of the human population.

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