Weeks ago, I was contacted by Stephanie Hanson regarding a troubling policy of The Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona, which she learned shoots rabbits to protect some 50,000 plants from being eaten, including some that are considered rare or endangered.Through our correspondence, I tried to assist with various approaches to the facility to end the unfriendly approach to animal management. In light of their intractability, I advised Ms. Hanson to approach the press. After contacting several papers, John Faherty of The Arizona Republic wrote the story that was published in Friday's paper.
Interestingly, Ms. Hanson -- who is a garden member -- received a reply from the director of the garden that mentioned nothing about a catch-and-release program. I read the letter, and it was rather thorough, attempting as it was to be reassuring. You would think that program would have made it into such a letter. Only after the Arizona Republic contacted him was that program made known.
Of course, shooting the rabbits is what they consider a last line of defense. But, Ms. Hanson, as well as other members who reply in the comments below the story (generating more attention than this issue has so far, with 6 pages of comments as of this writing -- way to go, Stephanie!), strongly disagree with the policy:
"It sure changed my view of the place," Hanson said. "I can't even go there any more. There are better ways to do this. Now it feels like they are different from the image they project."Nor are they alone in decrying the practice. The decision to shoot the rabbits provokes the same reaction from Laura Simon, field director for Urban Wildlife Program with Humane Society of the United States:
"We would expect a botanical garden would not do this. You would think they would be philosophically opposed."If nothing else, this is a great example of activism at its finest. Ms. Hanson has approached the garden with her ethical concerns, escalated the concerns to the public, and has raised awareness.
In addition to anyone who has already posted in the comments (and of course they lean from supportive to sick, and even paranoid and misleading, so you may want to post as well), I'd also recommend a letter to the editor to keep the topic percolating. And let me know if you get published. Thanks!
