Ethical dilemma

[MalcolmX]

Originally Posted by wildone

The worse thing you are doing is importing foreign species into Britain. Has there not been enough said on the forum to realise that importing any foreign species is a very risky thing to do. OK I am aware that the butterflies are not likely to breed in this country, but what if one species just did? The fact of it breeding means that it must find the environment to it's liking. Yet another species difficult foreign species to erradicate? I am sure that there are other ways to help people in under-developed countries without putting our own at risk.

i actually buy from people in Cambridge who own the farms and supply the pupae.thses butterflies live in a sealed area in my green house and do not nor can they mate with any native species . i totally agree with not introducing foreign species into the UK but in this instance it is a total impossibility .i do agree you are right to be concerned

[PhilBriggs]

Originally Posted by Alan

Phil, I'm still right in thinking this doesn't apply to owl's, aren't I? Cos as far as I know you still don't need a license/certificate to keep them.

Alan
An article 10 is still required for any indigenous owl species to the UK ie barn owl, tawny owl and even snowy owl. (not eagle owl as the jury is still out)

Phil

[Horseguards]

Thank you to everyone for the replies.

I am surprised at the number who are against zoos on the site, but then again, this is possibly due to hitherto not corresponding with those of sufficient interest and concern.

Wildone, I can appreciate your feelings. This was how I felt re Chester zoo. I forgot what animals they were, possibly chipmunks. But by the way they were climbing the cages, as if to seek escape really got to me. They looked really stressed.

I recently became aware of the magnificent red panda. A Google search of images produced examples in zoos. They looked completely bewildered, as if saying “what the xxxx are we doing here”?. I couldn’t look anymore.

Malcolmx, employment potential doesn’t supersede ethics in my mind. However, you do raise an interesting point re how many feel about wildlife. Most people do not like to see elephants, for example, mistreated. But what about insects? Peoples’ strength of feeling seems to correspond to size. I hate seeing flies or slugs squashed (why I also have reservations re formal gardens); but they feel pain (necessary for survival).

Grant.

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by Horseguards

However, you do raise an interesting point re how many feel about wildlife. Most people do not like to see elephants, for example, mistreated. But what about insects? Peoples’ strength of feeling seems to correspond to size. I hate seeing flies or slugs squashed (why I also have reservations re formal gardens); but they feel pain (necessary for survival).

Grant.

...I know its cruel to go out hunting foxes,
Or to put my aftershave in rabbits eyes,
The problem that i find is where to draw the line,
Does this rule extend to embryos and flies?

Is it cruel to kill the microbes in my toilet,
Or to swat a thingy like a stingy bee?
Is it cruel for me to say that I'll never fall in love with you,
What about cruelty to me

from: Cruelty by Watercress

[Horseguards]

Imaginos, the extreme thought of, for example, the potential pain of plants occurred to me while writing the post above. Do plants feel pain? Actually, this is a red herring.

In the main, killing in the animal world is predicated on the need for survival. For humans, destruction of flora and fauna is usually a question of economics (financial gain), sport (for whom?), vanity (fashion) or aesthetics (a pest-free, weed-free, wildlife sterile garden).

I don’t adhere to the belief that plants and vegetables should have equal rights, but I don’t pick flowers from their habitat to make my home pretty. They don’t belong to me; I have no right to them; let others enjoy them.

Grant.

[Alan]

Can anyone remember an edition of Tales of the unexpected, were somebody invented a device that could hear plants screaming etc when they were pruned! I think he/she ended up going mad. I was only a kid at the time and I can remember finding it very disturbing!

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Horseguards

Imaginos, the extreme thought of, for example, the potential pain of plants occurred to me while writing the post above. Do plants feel pain? Actually, this is a red herring.

In the main, killing in the animal world is predicated on the need for survival. For humans, destruction of flora and fauna is usually a question of economics (financial gain), sport (for whom?), vanity (fashion) or aesthetics (a pest-free, weed-free, wildlife sterile garden).

I don’t adhere to the belief that plants and vegetables should have equal rights, but I don’t pick flowers from their habitat to make my home pretty. They don’t belong to me; I have no right to them; let others enjoy them.

Grant.

Does anybody know if there are any laws regarding the picking of wild flowers?

[wildone]

Originally Posted by Pat

Does anybody know if there are any laws regarding the picking of wild flowers?

Pat, all species of wildflower are covered by law. It is illegal to uproot any wildflower unless with the permission of the land owner. Some you may not pick but I think you can take the seed - not sure on this. But the rare species may not be picked or the seeds taken or uprooted even if the land owner says you can. Both would be committing an offence. I have seen a list but cannot remember where. Maybe another member can help further.

[Pat]

I'm asking this because where I walk there are lots of bluebells and cowslips, they are often picked by children then thrown to the ground when they can't be bothered to carry them anymore. Many times I've had a go at the parents of these children who just reply " they're just chilgren enjoying their day out " or words to that effect so I'd like to know if they're commiting any offence.

[Wild-Woman]

Alan. I can remember a Tales of the unexpected where a man ate so much Royal jelly that he turned into a bumble bee! Do you remember it? Scared me half to death and I couldn't sleep that night. ww