Snow leopard documentary Question?

[pixieearth]

Hello, I am new to these forums, but really feel the need to ask a question...
I have just watched the Planet Earth documentary of the Snow Leopard, and was extremely moved by the film. However one thing really bothered me, during the tagging of the leopard, they clipped her ears with bright blue tags, surely this will interfer with her camouflage, and therefore hinder her hunting and possibly as a consequence her survival? I do not agree with intervention by science of nature to this extent, because simply by being observed, nature does not always act 'naturally' (if you know what I mean!). It is mans influence that has put many of the earth's species under threat, so surely biologists should understand this implicitly and therefore use un-intrusive methods of study. Please could someone explain why she had blue tags (infact, why she had tags at all) and not tags that blended with her natural colourings? I am completely at a loss to understand this. I also did not like the collar, too much technology, not enough empathy and understanding.

"The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them" Albert Einstein 1879-1955

Thanks, looking forward to hearing from anyone who can shed light on this one for me....or direct me to another place where I could find out.

[eeyore]

I presume that the ear tags are to identify her if she should happen to loose her collar, or if/when the battery goes flat. the bright colour is presumably so that they can be identified through a scope at a distance. ( I assume this is the case though of course i have never surveyed a snow leo so i could be wrong - Ive monitored fox populations like this tho , and stone curlew via colour rings and the principal is the same)

These were the same concerns that were expressed by the film maker , but they did eventually see her stalk and kill unimpeded by the technology.

On an empathetic level i can agree about the unsighltyness of the technology but the view expressed by the researcher in the film was that the data gathered through these surveys would add greatly to their understanding of the species and thus our ability to protect them - his argument was that slight discomfort for one leo was worth it if it helps to save the species.

The only point i really had a problem with was the use of leg hold snares to capture her in the first place - personally i would have used a cage trap , but i presume that the logistics of transporting one in that terrain were impractical.

[Blackbrook Eye]

Hi pixieearth, welcome to WAB.
I also watched the programme with interest and got the same impressions as yourself. I assume that the brightly coloured tags are so that they can be easily seen by the observers in what can be extremely murky country, and for that reason would be easily seen by their prey. as for the collar, surely in this technolical age, a less conspicuous piece of kit is available.
The excuse that was made I believe went something like this ' The sacrifices made by the individual would benefit the species as a whole'. Surely, what would be of most benefit to the species as a whole would be to clear off and leave them alone, and get rid of the stinking goats that the 'farmers' of the region said they can't live off anyway, which would eradicate the predation problem that they were moaning about in the first place.
The thing that disturbed me most however, was the 'scientist' who was out catching the leopard, setting a wire snare for the purpose, surely this is bang out of order.

[Blackbrook Eye]

Sorry eeyore, I was typing my reply and didnt see yours until I had posted, never mind, its good to see that we agree on most aspects, Keith

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

. Surely, what would be of most benefit to the species as a whole would be to clear off and leave them alone, and get rid of the stinking goats that the 'farmers' of the region said they can't live off anyway

thats true but impractical - as the film maker said at the end in the real world the future lies in educating the farmers to appreciate there heritage - alienating them wont help.

also we could educate the muppets in this country (and the west generally) who buy and wear (poached) snow leopard fur. I strongly believe in the roar of disaproval slogan - fur coats are worn by beautiful animals , and ugly people.

I once encountered a woman in costa coffee who was gassing to her equaly bimble brained freind about her new coat made of pure snow leopard fur - sample conversation " oh its so lovely and soft and nice, tamara - they must be beautiful animals"

I'm afraid that at this point i kind of lost it - informing them - and the whole shop that "it wasnt a beautiful animal any more you silly oooo , its a torn and butchered hunk of meat all so you can wear your ooooooo coat "- I then threw my drink over her and said coat and was subsequently ejected from the premises

[Blackbrook Eye]

Fancy wasting a good drink on a moron like her, I think I would have been thrown out with you in that instance, but for a bit more than throwing a drink !!!
So far as the farmers in the mountains are concerned, they were barely existing in the environment, if they were suffering so badly, surely they would be glad to move somewhere easier. I know of many people who have had to move to get a living and few have died from the experience.

[pixieearth]

Hi eeyore, and Blackbrook Eyes

wow, quick responses, thanks.
I suppose blue would be quite distinctive in the snow for tracking purposes, and I quess it does make sense on that level, although I still find it hard to believe that with technology as it is, more un-intrusive methods can't be employed, especially with a species so vulnerable that each individual's survival is so important (not saying that more prolific species aren't as important). I have to agree that leaving them alone is the best thing, although local knowledge and teaching the mountain communities about the leopard as part of their heritage is really important, and that is why I thought that the presenter (very bad with names!) was absolutely amazing and inspiring in what he was doing with the local communities and people.

Is a wire snare often used to catch animals for tagging/scientific study? I think it is distressing and horrendous, does the means ever justify the ends with such a device?

As for 'Stinking goats'...well I love goats, and to me they are just as lovely as the leopards, so I can't agree with Blackbrook eyes there, and I'm sure the farmers have a hard enough time as it is.

DO you know the name of the presenter and the camera man in the documentary, I missed the names (I'm useless with names), and was wanting to find out more information, as was utterly inspired.

Thankyou for getting back to me, it is good to have some understanding of the thoughts and reasons behind the action.

pixieearth

[paulchandler6]

Originally Posted by eeyore

thats true but impractical - as the film maker said at the end in the real world the future lies in educating the farmers to appreciate there heritage - alienating them wont help.

also we could educate the muppets in this country (and the west generally) who buy and wear (poached) snow leopard fur. I strongly believe in the roar of disaproval slogan - fur coats are worn by beautiful animals , and ugly people.

I once encountered a woman in costa coffee who was gassing to her equaly bimble brained freind about her new coat made of pure snow leopard fur - sample conversation " oh its so lovely and soft and nice, tamara - they must be beautiful animals"

I'm afraid that at this point i kind of lost it - informing them - and the whole shop that "it wasnt a beautiful animal any more you silly oooo , its a torn and butchered hunk of meat all so you can wear your ooooooo coat "- I then threw my drink over her and said coat and was subsequently ejected from the premises

I echo your words here eeyore. Well done for your actions as well. I hope it made her realise what an idiot she is.

Paul

[galanthus]

I would have paid for your refill eeyore, mainly so that you could do it again, I would then take you off to nearest pub and buy you a pint of beer or glass of red

[galanthus]

... to drink yourself obviously