STOP the annihilation of a Critically-Endangered Species!
- by: Maura Kelley
- recipient: The local government of Bonaire
A Critically Endangered (CR) subspecies listed on the IUCN Red List is being deliberated annihilated from the isolated ecosystem of the island of Bonaire, by its local government. The wild burros of Bonaire, proven to be direct descendants of the Wild Nubian Ass by Texas A&M University's Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences through mitochondrial DNA sequencing, are being captured (often without oversight according to local residents at $20 a head) and brought to the "Donkey Sanctuary of Bonaire" where all males are systematically being castrated, tagged and released and pregnant females held captive to castrate all young males. A local organization of citizens, "Citizens for a Better and Safer Animal-Friendly Bonaire" are desperately calling in wildlife experts from the US to urge the Bonairean government to stop these castrations as this will eliminate this Critically-Endangered Species from this isolated island ecosystem. The government is not responding to expert advice. Wild herd management, as scientific studies and data presented by biologist, Allan Savory in a TED talk illustrate and emphasize the necessity of wild roaming animal herds to prevent desertification of land masses, is the solution - not extinction of these donkeys. Road signs need to be put into place to make motorists aware of its wildlife present, as well as clear, reasonable speed limits. These donkeys have lived on this island for nearly 500 years, and have been a very important part of Bonairean history and culture for its people.
7/25/14 Update:
Last week, Wildlife Ecologist, Member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and President of the Andean Tapir Fund/Wild Horse and Burro Fund, Craig C. Downer went to Bonaire to do research and address the government decision-makers with the following scientific report:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bonaire_Wild_Donkey_Statement_7-22-14.pdf
The government HAS NOT yet changed its mind about the castrations and they are continuing - despite this statement.
Honorable Governor of Bonaire:
PLEASE - put an immediate stop to the castration plan for the wild donkeys of Bonaire. Please listen to the expert biologists in wildlife management that have urged you to protect these critically endangered animals, and adapt a program of wild herd management that will allow the continuation of the species on the island of Bonaire. In addition, we urge you to provide wildlife road signs with reasonable speed limits for motorists in Bonaire.
Thank you,
As I write this, on a daily basis, more and more wild mare burros are being castrated and this critically- endangered species will cease to exist - to yet another extinct species. There is a new governor in Bonaire, and a quick personal email from you CAN PREVENT the extinction of an animal species. YOU have the power to do this! The NEW governor's name is: Edison Rijna and the direct email is: wndgezaghebberbonaire@gmail.com
Thank you for your invaluable time ~
MORE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubian_wild_ass
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bonaire_Wild_Donkey_Statement_7-22-14.pdf
The government HAS NOT yet changed its mind about the castrations and they are continuing - despite this statement.
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