Several weeks ago an article appeared in area newspapers depicting an exceptionally large cat-like animal that had been killed by a “hunter” in central western Georgia not far from the Alabama boundary. It resembled a Florida panther, an endangered species known with certainty to occur only in southern Florida.
Close relatives are mountain lions, a.k.a. cougars, that occur in some western states and are not considered to be endangered.
Panthers do not appear on Georgia’s list of protected animals because, according to a spokesman for the state’s regulatory agency, “Panthers do not occur in Georgia.” He also stated his belief that the animal in question exhibited signs of having been held in captivity.
If he was correct in this belief, the big cat originated from the west; its being a Florida panther that escaped from captivity is beyond belief.
DNA tests are the only means that could reliably be used to determine the animal’s true identity. The tests have been performed, and I was informed by a reliable source that the results clearly identified the big cat as a Florida panther. What a shame. No more than about 300 of these beautiful animals remain in the wild.
* * *
“Same old song, same old verse, may be better but it could be worse,” was a ditty that stuck in my cerebrum since I heard it many long years ago.
It came to mind when I read the most recent issue of PEEReview, published by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
As an advocate of environmental protection and a Teddy Roosevelt-type Republican, I strongly disapproved of President Bush’s economic policies and his obvious disregard for the quality of our environment.
But I voted for McCain, because I was more fearful of Obama’s having the Rev. Jeremiah Wright as his mentor than I was about Cruella de Palin, who advocates aerial hunting of wolves and gassing baby wolf puppies in their dens, being vice president.
When Obama was elected, I thought to myself that, at least, he will be a strong advocate for environmental protection. Articles in the PEER publication mentioned above make me wonder.
One criticized his appointment of Sam Hamilton to head the Fish and Wildlife Service. Hamilton has served as head of the Southeastern Region of the FWS for the past 12 years. PEER states, “Sam Hamilton has by far the weakest record on Endangered Species Act enforcement of any comparable official in the country.”
And I thought Obama would order an immediate halt to mountain top removal as a coal mining practice, but the practice continues unabated.
Who’s pulling your strings, Mr. President?
Bob Mount is emeritus professor of zoology and entomology at Auburn University and writes a weekly column for the Opelika-Auburn News.
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