"The decimation of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica"
I personally think that these gatherers are simply thinking in the now. They are living in the present moment and do not care for the future these species might have. In fact they aren't thinking about the turtles at all. They are egocentric and are solely concerned with the benefits they receives. It almost seems as though everyone is trying to get a piece of the pie. It seems as though the people have acquired the mentality of the quote "Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss." As a result, everyone as a whole is depleting the lives of the turtles.
I'm not really sure how to respond. Sure, poaching is a problem, however, the monetary incentive trumps ethical considerations outside of capitalism. This scenario is sort of similar to the elephant ivory tusk fiasco that was at its peak a couple of years ago; harm to elephants was justified through an economic (or survivalist, if you choose to consider the biological consumption of these eggs) of gain.
The government shouldn't necessarily call for a complete abolition of egg poaching—considering that categorical acts imposed by the government seldom have any success—but either:
1. Place oversight on "egg zones" to ban poachers from trespassing, or 2. Raise public/political awareness through grassroots projects; if people feel justified in doing what they're doing, then their acts will remain constant.
The main problem with poaching is that animals tend to be dehumanized because they're not human. Humans aren't treated as humans all around the world (the root of this generally lies in an absence of accountability): animals won't be treated much better until humans are held accountable for their actions in some respect. A government that doesn't do anything about the issue expresses silent consent.
"The decimation of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica"
I believe that when you have an endangered species the government should take special precaution with poachers. We as humans have always taken from our environment and not cared enough about it to respect its boundaries. When excessiveness like causing a creature to become extinct, we as creatures with a brain are at fault for not foreseen an inevitable outcome. The American bison for example almost became extinct when European hunters killed more then a quarter million a year during the 19 century.If it wasn't for conversationalist that took action that magnificent creature that provided so much to us would have disappeared forever. This problems repeats itself more and more throughout time. Lets just hope someone can come up with a solution before these turtles are only a page in our history books.
As I was reading this blog, the only thing Could think of was ignorance, but whatis that? are we not all as ignorant as this attitude towards the the turtle's eggs, or is not it the same concerning all the different meat that we allow ourselves to eat when we go out and order food at the restaurant. Human like to try, and find themselves a reason to be addicted. To those people, those eggs are nothing much than a chicken's eggs, or duck's, or turkey. It is true that we qualified the turtles as endangered species, but what are they to them in Costa Rica? can they see it the way do? on what purpose are they doing it? It is true that the gorvernment has part responsibility in what is happening; It apears that they are aware of the situation, and consulting ways of controlling it Meanwhile, it is still being consumed. The same way we implanted the culture of eating eggs, I beleive they are trying something. wether it will work or not, or will be good or not, time and experiments will disclose it. turtle's feet are being sold in other country that have regulations like Costa Rica; in that case the weakness of the gorvernement is shown in all those places. It is not a logical thing to do when put in the context because it is not a necessary option. People in Costa Rica have other options. If that could help maybe they should think about it. When I read the story I think about the United States on July 4th with the invasion of turkey. We beleive that it is a sign of gratitude, and giving. How can we confirm that. Sometimes we do things thinking that God wants us to them in a state of desperation, then again how could we be so sure? We should think hard enough with the people Costa-Rica with hope that things do not have to get there. They are trying to use their ressources, but is it the right way? I let you think of that.
I think these people are overwhelmed with so many other economical problems that for them its not a priority nor an issue to care about the turtles. although they might know its wrong and that they are killing the turtles the end result is producing to great of an outcome for them. MONEY ! If that guy with 4,500 eggs get 2$ an egg thats 1000 $ short of $10,000. this is like any other wrong way of making money. These people are poor and just want to eat and put there kids in school. They wont notice what they have till they loose it.
“Paradise on Earth” is used to describe Costa Rica. Yet it isn’t, once the turtles lay their eggs people go and catch them with no regards. These people are not in starvation by any means for the majority, yet they prefer turtle eggs then chicken eggs. This is selfish and cruel. Bags are filled with leatherback turtle eggs daily and is causing the population of the turtles to decline. Why hasn’t the government taken any actions? People don’t care about the turtles they just care about personal gain and for the most part are selling them in black markets. These people just care about themselves and present time.
I feel that we as humans are a parasite to this planet. Everywhere we are we destroy other living things. This is a very emotional example of pillaging of what could be thought of as a resource. If Costa Rica was a more developed country, laws and regulations would prevent people from doing such a horrible thing to these helpless creatures, but that is not the case. It also very easy for us to criticize these people. Maybe they aren't doing it for the food, but they could very well be desperate economically. All cultures are willing to take the resources around them for their own. How is this any different? We dig up the coal, drill for oil, cut the treas, farm the cows and sheep. I think the problem is that as humans we don't live in balance with the planet.
I personally think that people usually ignore the fact that we ALL need to look after our planet, we all need to put our effort, our own contribution. Because if no one does it, nobody is going to do it for us. In the case of the turtles i honestly think that people really doesn't care about anything that is not themselves, and the fact that the are taking away the lives of this creatures stand out this fact.
Anonymous said... As I was reading this blog, the only thing Could think of was ignorance, but whatis that? are we not all as ignorant as this attitude towards the the turtle's eggs, or is not it the same concerning all the different meat that we allow ourselves to eat when we go out and order food at the restaurant. Human like to try, and find themselves a reason to be addicted. To those people, those eggs are nothing much than a chicken's eggs, or duck's, or turkey. It is true that we qualified the turtles as endangered species, but what are they to them in Costa Rica? can they see it the way do? on what purpose are they doing it? It is true that the gorvernment has part responsibility in what is happening; It apears that they are aware of the situation, and consulting ways of controlling it Meanwhile, it is still being consumed. The same way we implanted the culture of eating eggs, I beleive they are trying something. wether it will work or not, or will be good or not, time and experiments will disclose it. turtle's feet are being sold in other country that have regulations like Costa Rica; in that case the weakness of the gorvernement is shown in all those places. It is not a logical thing to do when put in the context because it is not a necessary option. People in Costa Rica have other options. If that could help maybe they should think about it. When I read the story I think about the United States on July 4th with the invasion of turkey. We beleive that it is a sign of gratitude, and giving. How can we confirm that. Sometimes we do things thinking that God wants us to them in a state of desperation, then again how could we be so sure? We should think hard enough with the people Costa-Rica with hope that things do not have to get there. They are trying to use their ressources, but is it the right way? I let you think of that.
Looking at the consistent interfering with wildlife, some of us humans have no respect for it. The problem with what is happening is only that we don't stop there. We have a desire to get our hands on everything and anything. We do not show respect and because of it life as we know it could be on the brink of distinction, maybe. If this is what we, as humans, do then we are the problem, not the solution.
"The decimation of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica"
In times of economical hardships, as humans we do anything necessary to make some revenue. The actions taken by Costa Rican natives are not any different from what many people I know would do, if placed in similar economical restraints. Costa Ricans are exploiting a resource that they have an excess of. Their ideology may be based on “survival of the fittest”. However, there is no animal that can defeat the “formidable predator” known as humans. Although I understand what kind of position these people are facing, 4,500 eggs for one man to have taken is atrocious and just plain cruel. Although turtles are not humans as animals they have rights. I can only think of how mothers would feel if the minute they gave birth their children were taken away. It’s easy to point fingers and accuse Costa Rica of not having the right legislations established but all one can do is become involved and educate people about the impact that their actions have in the environment as well as in the regions food chain.
we as human are getting so use to the fact that we get what we want no matter the damage or harm we cause to our nature oor animals. thats the scary part how obsessive we gotten with power because my question is what will we do next to our nature?? This is just a perfect example this people in costa rica are selfish cruel people that are not thinking about the harm they are causing to these sea turtles. they are just thinking about the profit they will make out of the sea turtles eggs. without realizing that these sea turtles are close to extinction. that just one nest of eggs has huge implications for the sea turtle species to survive and not become in exctintion. i think that the costa rica goverment should take this matter more seriouse and take action.
I agree this seems like a case of ignorance. A little education might go a long way. If you equate it the crops I'm sure they grow down there, if they don't manage their planting of new crops then all gets eaten away. This might be a place to start when trying to get idea of conservation across.
In the grand scheme of things what gets affected though? Even if we can't stomach the idea of the cute little turtles going away, and the local ecosystem will take a hit for some time. but eventually life adapts. The plants and micro-organisms the turtles feed on will thrive more and the predators that feed on turtles will find something else to eat. So many species have come and gone from this planet over the years we don't even know what half of them were. This is just a case of us feeling like we have to protect everything.
Don't get me wrong, I gave 5 years of my life on a marine oceanographic research vessel, and married a marine scientist. I would love to see the turtles protected. But we don't know the correct order of things, or even if there is an order of things. Maybe it's just this species time to go from this place, and by this method. Is it our job to chauffeur evolution. No it's evolutions job to drive us.
Ignorance is defined as “lack of knowledge or information"; I feel as if ignorance cannot be the reason for this events, Anyone who possesses some amount of logical thinking can see that turtle eggs are obviously not made for mass human consumption if they are not sold in the market. I feel not only those doing this, but those allowing it, are to blame; The Costa Rican government IS, to some extent, guilty for this poaching since is actually LEGAL in Ostinal beach for the first 48 hours; 48 hours can do a great deal of damage to the population as its clear from the pictures that the locals are not taking a few eggs enough to cook some pancakes but more like enough to open up a bakery.
Ruth Chama Duchatelier I think ignorance plays a big role in that. The fact that these people do not know much about how dangerous is this is the biggest issue. I am not going to blame it on the government however. Instead,I suggest the government to inform these people about how catastrophic it will be if they keep on doing that. I believe that these people have a lack of information, and they need to try to educate these groups of people about the nature in which they are living.Believe it or not, if this situation continues, we won't have not even a turtle in the next few years to come.
18 comments:
"The decimation of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica"
I personally think that these gatherers are simply thinking in the now. They are living in the present moment and do not care for the future these species might have. In fact they aren't thinking about the turtles at all. They are egocentric and are solely concerned with the benefits they receives. It almost seems as though everyone is trying to get a piece of the pie. It seems as though the people have acquired the mentality of the quote "Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss." As a result, everyone as a whole is depleting the lives of the turtles.
So, ignorance, poverty, both?
I'm not really sure how to respond. Sure, poaching is a problem, however, the monetary incentive trumps ethical considerations outside of capitalism. This scenario is sort of similar to the elephant ivory tusk fiasco that was at its peak a couple of years ago; harm to elephants was justified through an economic (or survivalist, if you choose to consider the biological consumption of these eggs) of gain.
The government shouldn't necessarily call for a complete abolition of egg poaching—considering that categorical acts imposed by the government seldom have any success—but either:
1. Place oversight on "egg zones" to ban poachers from trespassing, or
2. Raise public/political awareness through grassroots projects; if people feel justified in doing what they're doing, then their acts will remain constant.
The main problem with poaching is that animals tend to be dehumanized because they're not human. Humans aren't treated as humans all around the world (the root of this generally lies in an absence of accountability): animals won't be treated much better until humans are held accountable for their actions in some respect. A government that doesn't do anything about the issue expresses silent consent.
Jose: I agree with your point #2.
"The decimation of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica"
I believe that when you have an endangered species the government should take special precaution with poachers. We as humans have always taken from our environment and not cared enough about it to respect its boundaries. When excessiveness like causing a creature to become extinct, we as creatures with a brain are at fault for not foreseen an inevitable outcome. The American bison for example almost became extinct when European hunters killed more then a quarter million a year during the 19 century.If it wasn't for conversationalist that took action that magnificent creature that provided so much to us would have disappeared forever. This problems repeats itself more and more throughout time. Lets just hope someone can come up with a solution before these turtles are only a page in our history books.
As I was reading this blog, the only thing Could think of was ignorance, but whatis that? are we not all as ignorant as this attitude towards the the turtle's eggs, or is not it the same concerning all the different meat that we allow ourselves to eat when we go out and order food at the restaurant. Human like to try, and find themselves a reason to be addicted. To those people, those eggs are nothing much than a chicken's eggs, or duck's, or turkey. It is true that we qualified the turtles as endangered species, but what are they to them in Costa Rica? can they see it the way do? on what purpose are they doing it? It is true that the gorvernment has part responsibility in what is happening; It apears that they are aware of the situation, and consulting ways of controlling it Meanwhile, it is still being consumed. The same way we implanted the culture of eating eggs, I beleive they are trying something. wether it will work or not, or will be good or not, time and experiments will disclose it. turtle's feet are being sold in other country that have regulations like Costa Rica; in that case the weakness of the gorvernement is shown in all those places. It is not a logical thing to do when put in the context because it is not a necessary option. People in Costa Rica have other options. If that could help maybe they should think about it. When I read the story I think about the United States on July 4th with the invasion of turkey. We beleive that it is a sign of gratitude, and giving. How can we confirm that. Sometimes we do things thinking that God wants us to them in a state of desperation, then again how could we be so sure? We should think hard enough with the people Costa-Rica with hope that things do not have to get there. They are trying to use their ressources, but is it the right way? I let you think of that.
Anonymous, interesting last comment, but who are you??
I think these people are overwhelmed with so many other economical problems that for them its not a priority nor an issue to care about the turtles. although they might know its wrong and that they are killing the turtles the end result is producing to great of an outcome for them. MONEY ! If that guy with 4,500 eggs get 2$ an egg thats 1000 $ short of $10,000. this is like any other wrong way of making money. These people are poor and just want to eat and put there kids in school. They wont notice what they have till they loose it.
“Paradise on Earth” is used to describe Costa Rica. Yet it isn’t, once the turtles lay their eggs people go and catch them with no regards. These people are not in starvation by any means for the majority, yet they prefer turtle eggs then chicken eggs. This is selfish and cruel. Bags are filled with leatherback turtle eggs daily and is causing the population of the turtles to decline. Why hasn’t the government taken any actions? People don’t care about the turtles they just care about personal gain and for the most part are selling them in black markets. These people just care about themselves and present time.
I feel that we as humans are a parasite to this planet. Everywhere we are we destroy other living things. This is a very emotional example of pillaging of what could be thought of as a resource. If Costa Rica was a more developed country, laws and regulations would prevent people from doing such a horrible thing to these helpless creatures, but that is not the case. It also very easy for us to criticize these people. Maybe they aren't doing it for the food, but they could very well be desperate economically. All cultures are willing to take the resources around them for their own. How is this any different? We dig up the coal, drill for oil, cut the treas, farm the cows and sheep. I think the problem is that as humans we don't live in balance with the planet.
I personally think that people usually ignore the fact that we ALL need to look after our planet, we all need to put our effort, our own contribution. Because if no one does it, nobody is going to do it for us. In the case of the turtles i honestly think that people really doesn't care about anything that is not themselves, and the fact that the are taking away the lives of this creatures stand out this fact.
Natasha Urvina
PHI 2010 T,R 8:25am
Anonymous said...
As I was reading this blog, the only thing Could think of was ignorance, but whatis that? are we not all as ignorant as this attitude towards the the turtle's eggs, or is not it the same concerning all the different meat that we allow ourselves to eat when we go out and order food at the restaurant. Human like to try, and find themselves a reason to be addicted. To those people, those eggs are nothing much than a chicken's eggs, or duck's, or turkey. It is true that we qualified the turtles as endangered species, but what are they to them in Costa Rica? can they see it the way do? on what purpose are they doing it? It is true that the gorvernment has part responsibility in what is happening; It apears that they are aware of the situation, and consulting ways of controlling it Meanwhile, it is still being consumed. The same way we implanted the culture of eating eggs, I beleive they are trying something. wether it will work or not, or will be good or not, time and experiments will disclose it. turtle's feet are being sold in other country that have regulations like Costa Rica; in that case the weakness of the gorvernement is shown in all those places. It is not a logical thing to do when put in the context because it is not a necessary option. People in Costa Rica have other options. If that could help maybe they should think about it. When I read the story I think about the United States on July 4th with the invasion of turkey. We beleive that it is a sign of gratitude, and giving. How can we confirm that. Sometimes we do things thinking that God wants us to them in a state of desperation, then again how could we be so sure? We should think hard enough with the people Costa-Rica with hope that things do not have to get there. They are trying to use their ressources, but is it the right way? I let you think of that.
Murielle
Looking at the consistent interfering with wildlife, some of us humans have no respect for it. The problem with what is happening is only that we don't stop there. We have a desire to get our hands on everything and anything. We do not show respect and because of it life as we know it could be on the brink of distinction, maybe. If this is what we, as humans, do then we are the problem, not the solution.
"The decimation of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica"
In times of economical hardships, as humans we do anything necessary to make some revenue. The actions taken by Costa Rican natives are not any different from what many people I know would do, if placed in similar economical restraints. Costa Ricans are exploiting a resource that they have an excess of. Their ideology may be based on “survival of the fittest”. However, there is no animal that can defeat the “formidable predator” known as humans. Although I understand what kind of position these people are facing, 4,500 eggs for one man to have taken is atrocious and just plain cruel. Although turtles are not humans as animals they have rights. I can only think of how mothers would feel if the minute they gave birth their children were taken away. It’s easy to point fingers and accuse Costa Rica of not having the right legislations established but all one can do is become involved and educate people about the impact that their actions have in the environment as well as in the regions food chain.
we as human are getting so use to the fact that we get what we want no matter the damage or harm we cause to our nature oor animals. thats the scary part how obsessive we gotten with power because my question is what will we do next to our nature?? This is just a perfect example this people in costa rica are selfish cruel people that are not thinking about the harm they are causing to these sea turtles. they are just thinking about the profit they will make out of the sea turtles eggs. without realizing that these sea turtles are close to extinction. that just one nest of eggs has huge implications for the sea turtle species to survive and not become in exctintion. i think that the costa rica goverment should take this matter more seriouse and take action.
I agree this seems like a case of ignorance. A little education might go a long way. If you equate it the crops I'm sure they grow down there, if they don't manage their planting of new crops then all gets eaten away. This might be a place to start when trying to get idea of conservation across.
In the grand scheme of things what gets affected though? Even if we can't stomach the idea of the cute little turtles going away, and the local ecosystem will take a hit for some time. but eventually life adapts. The plants and micro-organisms the turtles feed on will thrive more and the predators that feed on turtles will find something else to eat. So many species have come and gone from this planet over the years we don't even know what half of them were. This is just a case of us feeling like we have to protect everything.
Don't get me wrong, I gave 5 years of my life on a marine oceanographic research vessel, and married a marine scientist. I would love to see the turtles protected. But we don't know the correct order of things, or even if there is an order of things. Maybe it's just this species time to go from this place, and by this method. Is it our job to chauffeur evolution. No it's evolutions job to drive us.
Ignorance is defined as “lack of knowledge or information"; I feel as if ignorance cannot be the reason for this events, Anyone who possesses some amount of logical thinking can see that turtle eggs are obviously not made for mass human consumption if they are not sold in the market. I feel not only those doing this, but those allowing it, are to blame; The Costa Rican government IS, to some extent, guilty for this poaching since is actually LEGAL in Ostinal beach for the first 48 hours; 48 hours can do a great deal of damage to the population as its clear from the pictures that the locals are not taking a few eggs enough to cook some pancakes but more like enough to open up a bakery.
Ruth Chama Duchatelier
I think ignorance plays a big role in that. The fact that these people do not know much about how dangerous is this is the biggest issue. I am not going to blame it on the government however. Instead,I suggest the government to inform these people about how catastrophic it will be if they keep on doing that. I believe that these people have a lack of information, and they need to try to educate these groups of people about the nature in which they are living.Believe it or not, if this situation continues, we won't have not even a turtle in the next few years to come.
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