Alisha Richardson- Changing Nature

Is it acceptable to change nature?

How far is too far?

Kern County, CA, 1926- "Having made their world safe for livestock by diligently slaughtering every skunk, fox, badger, weasel, snake, owl, hawk, and coyote in sight, the farmers of Kern County found themselves confronted with an army of 100 million mice-- the greatest rodent infestation in history." Eisenberg, 102.

Often, when we try too hard to control nature, it easily backfires.

Another example of humans taking control and making mistakes is told in the childern's book The Old Ladies Who Liked Cats. In this story, the townspeople tire of the old ladies' cats and force the ladies to get rid of them. This disturbs the ecological balance of the town. Soon there are too many mice and grasshoppers, and the plants suffer. This leaves less grazing vegetation for the cows, so they produce milk that's not up to par. In turn, the sailors can't get energy from the crappy milk, and everyone suffers until the cats return while the old ladies say we told you so. All in all a great story.

What's really sad about humans taking control is that sometimes the damage we cause is irreparable. Animals become extinct all the time, and then all that remains of them is pictures. This one's for the dingoes and the kiwi birds. You're sorely missed.