So the laws in the Eastern Cape are being changed and I was going through some of them and I feel a couple of them... while good meaning are perhaps short sighted.
There are some interesting rules.
1) If you breed indigenous reptiles, you may not under any circumstances release them into the wild ... even into habitats you might find them in. (apparently to stop "genetic pollution")
2) Any hybrids are to be destroyed
Basically a whole bunch of rules that are intent on conserving this genetic stock as it is right now in this moment in history.
Im not sure this is the right way to approach entire population groups. Genetic flow and genetic drift are parts of evolution. Hybridization and speciation are parts of evolution as well. Sure, I can understand if you want to take a genetic snapshot of history and conserve a small part of the population in eternity, but to prevent all future developments seems wrong.
95% of all species that has ever existed are now extinct. Surely by preventing hybridization you will impact speciation which will in term impact the chances of those animals to survive?
I did try bring this up with one of our local nature conservation people but he told me he was a creationist and didnt believe in evolution :/
Do you think conservation tactics like this can also negatively impact the long term survival of many life forms?
There are some interesting rules.
1) If you breed indigenous reptiles, you may not under any circumstances release them into the wild ... even into habitats you might find them in. (apparently to stop "genetic pollution")
2) Any hybrids are to be destroyed
Basically a whole bunch of rules that are intent on conserving this genetic stock as it is right now in this moment in history.
Im not sure this is the right way to approach entire population groups. Genetic flow and genetic drift are parts of evolution. Hybridization and speciation are parts of evolution as well. Sure, I can understand if you want to take a genetic snapshot of history and conserve a small part of the population in eternity, but to prevent all future developments seems wrong.
95% of all species that has ever existed are now extinct. Surely by preventing hybridization you will impact speciation which will in term impact the chances of those animals to survive?
I did try bring this up with one of our local nature conservation people but he told me he was a creationist and didnt believe in evolution :/
Do you think conservation tactics like this can also negatively impact the long term survival of many life forms?
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