http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/15/us/florida-giant-snails/%23us%20-%20?iref=obnetwork
This is a link to a CNN article that came out earlier this week. African land snails are becoming an invasive species in Florida, and are the size of rats. They also carry rat lungworm, a harmful disease that is potentially deadly for humans.
Thinking back to the beginning of the semester when we read Bilger's Swamp Things and Marris' Learning to Love Exotic Species, we discussed the harmful aspects of species being planted in foreign places and how they breed quickly in their new environments. These snails can live about 9 years and lay around 1200 eggs. It's clear that this will soon become a harmful (and potentially dangerous) situation in Florida and could expand to surrounding states. The articles states that the snails could harm Florida's crops as well, therefore slithering their way into Florida's economy and general prosperity.
Are there any solutions to this issue? Do the snails (even though they're disgusting) deserve to be wiped out as a species or should they be allowed to breed? Thoughts?
I do believe that the movement of species by other species is a natural occurrence and is something that many species, not just humans, do. However, I just wonder if the level at which mankind brings other species, such as these African land snails, while a natural occurrence, is acceptable. I do not believe that these snails deserve to be wiped out but I do believe that we should be allowed to prevent its growth in Florida. Ideally, I think that it would be best to collect and move the snails out of the environment but I recognize that that kind of action would be expensive and possibly not feasible.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of unexpected invasive species can be related to a situation in Namibia, a country in Southern Africa. In Namibia, the government uses endemic Anthrax in the soil to regulate wildlife populations (in particular ungulates). However, as a result of climate change, anthrax spores have been able to spread and infect surrounding areas with much high prevalence.
ReplyDeleteWhere anthrax mediated regulation has worked in naturally selecting and preserving populations, these animals will again be at danger if the park is not popularly supported by Namibian citizenry. Creating the balance between human contentment and wildlife conservation exists in a delicate equilibrium. While park management should continue to seek out nature avenues of wildlife regulation, they should not pursue those opportunities if they threaten the social and political aspects of conservation. This relates to the Florida snails in the fact that humans and animals need and nature need to live harmoniously in order to promote a positive public outlook on environmental conservation.