The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-12
The Preservation of Rnrc Animal.

The Preservation Of Rarc Animals.
A naturalist of some prominence recent
ly made the statement that one OF the most
Interesting problems of the coming century
to the scientific man will be the effect OF
civilization upon lower animal life. He
predicts that people now living will hear OF
the extinction OF the elk. the beaver. tie
mountain sheep. the grizzly bear. the
mountain lion. the wolf. and the alligator.
With the opening up of Africa. he prophe-
sizes, the big game of that continent viii
become only memory.
There is something in human nature
rhich instinctiyely deplores such a p os-
)ect as this. TIE absolute extinction of
curious or beautiful animals seems uEfcr-
tunate and unnecessary. Perhaps there is
no real reason for It. The buffalo herds
might have been preserved, but for the
reckless hunters and sportsmen who killed
the great beasts for their hides and tai
low, or for mere wapton amusemer. and
burned what they did not care to use. The
elephant would long ago have become ex-
tinct, hunted for his ivory, had he rot
proved useful as a beast of burden. Els
intelligence and vast strength have made
him rs valuable to British as to Indian c.v-
iliZation; he hauls guns which would other-
wise require many yoke of bullocks; lie
carries tents; he helps to build bridges, be-
siege cities, and transport the munitions of
war: and those who enjoy the pleasure OF
his intimate acquaintance devoutiy believe
that he knows more than any other quad
ruped ever associated with man. rot even
excepting The horse. But there is no such
prospect of escape for animals which be-
long to the carnivorous species. Nobody
will ever tame a grizzly bear and teach him
to draw wagons. The alligator is of no use
alive; neither is the mountain lion, or the
beaver. All animals which are slain f1r
their skins will sooner or later fall vic: ms
to the greed of the pot hunter. with the
immense advantages of pursuit which will
be afforded him by advancing civilization.
For the sake OF scierce, however, 1t is
certainly desirable that these rapidly van
ishing wild animals should be preserved
in some way. There is room enough in
this country for parks in which all such
species now existing in North America
could be strictly preserved In numbers
tion .. the type. This would not be an ex- |
pensive undertaking. compared with the |
vast sums spent OF buildings and appara-
tus OF various kinds: and IL il is TO be |
done. the plans should be begun at once
When the manatee the sea lion, and the
ell a nfafC mis- bod h..
earth It viii be too late to do anything
In the matter. II the spirit OF science is
to keep pace with that OF exploration and |
conquest. the nsturalists OF the various
civilized nations interested in the opening
up OF Africa should endeavor to have the !
animals of that continent also preserved |
where they can be studied easily. The
hunter viii find 1t as profitable to catch |
these creatures alive as TO slaughter them
II such an undertaking is once
fairly under way; and when there is
market for curious beasts, birds, and rep
tiles. to which the woodsmen can bring
any wild thing they happen to find in thsir
the gain TO science may be
almost incalculable. Thus far the natu-
ralist has generally had to hunt his speci-
mems himself. Drawing fever, climate. and
unpleasant natives for the sake OF adding
to his collections: but IL the scientific So
cieties OF the world make it worth while
fer the pot hunter to keep his eyes open
Tor discoveries outside his special line the
work Of the lover OF science may be greatly
aided 1t is especially important that such
should be made in Africa,
II that continent should prove to have
been. as seems likely. the cradle of the
human race. No one knows what may
urn up there in the way Of animals which
lave elsewhere vanished before the van
.uard OF civilization. No discovery is too
mall or Isolated 10 be vaiueIess to the
audent Of evolution: and siucs this great