Editor, The News:
Yet another study reveals Canadians’ disdain for the practice of slaughtering grizzly to allow “trophies” in the form of severed heads and paws.
Repeatedly, biologists have warned that this practice is not sustainable. Ten coastal First Nations have attempted to ban the hunt on their lands. Statistics reveal that the revenue generated by ecotourism is five times that of trophy hunting.
The image of Canada is being tarnished and placed among Third World countries who are so desperate for income that they allow the slaughter of their indigenous species for a few dollars. That this barbaric practice is not acceptable to Canadians is no longer in question. What is in question, however, is why there is no political will to end trophy hunting.
During this peak time of the federal election, when parties are announcing their platforms on a myriad of issues, there is not a word of concern about the plight of the grizzly.
The grizzly is currently labeled at risk. The federal government has all the scientific evidence to upgrade this rating to endangered. It chooses, however, to maintain that further study is required.
What is even more interesting is that all four parties both at the local and federal level fail to reply to emails as to their plans to end grizzly trophy hunting. One is left to assume that there is no plan. If elected officials are selected to represent the views of their constituents, why is this so?
Andree D’Andrea
Maple Ridge