The 1st Journal By Jason.C 19th of May 2023 s I strolled into my office, the same overpowering odor of coffee that has greeted me for the past 17 years draws me close to my desk- wow 17 years and my desk is not even near a window. I may not be ready for the day, but it is ready for me as my Senior Editor Ms. Lindquist walks toward me with a blank expression – does that mean that I am fired, or does it mean I have a career-changing piece? Her face was not willing to reveal the contents of her mind, but I knew that I had better prepare for whatever assignment she would hand to me. She grew closer to my desk until she was close enough to where I could smell the same deafening odor of coffee, I had become so accustomed to, and as she placed my next topic on my desk she disappeared as quickly as it had landed. ETHICAL REVIEW 19th of May 2023 Continue on Next page "Octopuses hold the tittle: Smartest of their Class". A (Photo by Ann Antonova)
Weird, I thought. As I rushed to read, with mixed emotions pulling my gut further and further into my stomach, I saw Octopus. What! I exclaimed as my coworkers turned and looked at me as if I were some sort of deranged person. What was I supposed to do with an octopus? Was I supposed to eat it or find the best way to cook it? Just then an email rang through my speakers, it was from Ms. Lindquist. It read “Is it ethical to keep octopuses in artificial conditions to keep up with their demand.” Okay, it’s a challenge, it could have been worse - Determined to finally move to that glass window, I began my research. "Is it ethical to keep octopuses in artificial conditions" Continue on Next page First, is it octopuses or octopi? – Ms. Lindquist says octopuses, so I better use that if I don’t want to get fired. A quick Google search revealed a surge of images of octopuses of all kinds. I quickly noticed a reoccurring pattern. I divided the pictures into 3 distinct groupings with the most abundant photo shown consisting of octopuses in the ocean, oblivious to their portrait being taken, alone in their natural environment. Initial Research: (Photo by pxhere)
They seem magnificent with images of octopuses in front of a dark ocean that one can assume to be freezing cold. Their tentacles are freely floating, spread out, and displayed in their splendor. A sense of mystery is portrayed by the calmness upon which each octopus is photographed. A meticulous arrangement of the camera is used to capture their incredible bodies. This I expected would result in my search, however, the next frequent image I did not. There were cartoon-style drawings of octopuses with simplistic bodies and human-like eyes. What could only be described as adorable little octopuses brought a realization that octopuses were adored by people and children when they resembled cartoon characters. There were also some detailed drawings of octopuses in a style where they resembled sea monsters that one could imagine living in the dark abyss of the ocean. Finally, the smallest group to my surprise were rare and cooked octopuses. Rare octopuses in a variety of colors. including clear and a variety of patterns, were photographed and displayed. These images showed me how incredible octopuses could be as a species and made me rethink if I wanted to keep eating octopus. "Octopuses have adaptations similar in complexity to Human biology". p (Photo by LThao_SIDER) Continue on Next page
7 0 Surprisingly, the least frequent photos on 2 7 google were images of cooked octopuses. They were rarely shown, and most were only shown dead, not cooked, or seasoned, dead. This information impacted me as I began to question that delicious octopus. Is it ethical to eat such magnificent creatures? Why are octopuses portrayed in children's cartoons, and does that make it harder for society to eat them? Should we farm octopuses to keep up with their demand? Can octopuses feel pain as we do, both physically and emotionally? With this in mind here is what I found through my research. (Photo by the National Wildlife Federation) Starting at the bottom of the pyramid, like most animals, octopuses belong to the Animalia kingdom. A tier up, and we arrive at the phylum classification of Mollusca, which includes animals like squids, cuttlefish, and nautilus as observed by renowned Gale journal author F.C Nicholson. They are in the class: Cephalopoda, of which octopuses are considered to be the smartest and most advanced. According to Susan, a Marine Biologist and author, the most common type of octopus is the Octopus vulgaris. Continue on Next page (Photo by Ziggy Austin) "Why does one species get to dictate the laws of the animal kingdom of which they themselves pertain".
Britannica, an established science journal reviewed by several authors, characterizes octopuses by their signature eight legs and their range in size from 5 centimeters (about half the length of the long edge of a credit card) to 5.4 meters. Their bodies are characterized as saccular bodies which when endangered can expel ink through a siphon that also allows them to quickly swim away. Most adult octopuses can be expected to weigh from a range of six to eleven pounds and are known to have powerful suckers on their arms. Octopuses, like many vertebrate animals, have eyes with lenses, eyelids, pupils, and a welldeveloped nervous system as noted by Paulo, a Marine biology author for the Science Direct journal. Continue on Next page (Image from Teachers Pay Teachers) Octopuses have a flexible activity period which is known to be dependent on factors such as predators and other octopuses in the area which allows for periods of activity during both the day and the night. According to Dr.James Wood, a primary author for the Cephalopod page, octopuses' life spans can range from 12 to 18 months (about 1 and a half years) in which they can hatch anywhere from 100,000 to 500,000 eggs. Octopuses are experts in camouflage with the ability to change colors and patterns adapting both themselves and their environments to better hide from danger. Your paragraph text "Octopuses don't scream or cry, but what if they could"?
(Photo by Dr.James Wood) They apply the moving rock strategy where they camouflage themselves as rocks and slowly move to avoid detection by predators by matching their movements to the water's flow as observed by Alvaro Roura, a member of the Institute of Marine Investigation. Octopuses have been observed to actively seek out shelter and change their colors and patterns according to the threat present and the environment they inhabit. Their crypsis, conspicuousness, and mimicry all make the octopus one of the best animals at hiding in plain sight according to Roger Hanlon, a member of the Linnean Society of Oxford. (Photo by Dr.James Wood) "Octopuses use the moving rock strategy" Continue on Next page
While those in favor of aquaculture farming make some valid arguments, proponents of animal rights have the backing of the scientific community. Octopuses are a delicacy most notably consumed as Calamari by most of my peers no one has ever heard of octopus in gumbo. They are an animal who is always in season and is heavily caught to be sold, but as my research has revealed they may have intelligence that surpasses that of many other animals including the members of their class. Octopuses belong, as discussed, to the phylum mollusk, including animals like squids and cuttlefish. The most common octopus or the Octopus vulgaris, tends to live in temperate waters at depths of 100-150 feet according to a study by the University of Michigan. are backed by many scientists in the scientific community to be the smartest of their class. They possess an advanced cognitive ability that begs one to consider the ethical implications of shoving octopuses in a box together with each other. It cannot be right to subject octopuses to the confinements of a box where they will be crowded up until their death with no chance of ever being able to live a full life. Continue on Next page "The Octopus Vulgaris" (Photo provided by PETA) Octopuses prefer their solitary lives only seeing each other for mating season and stripping them away from this choice while knowing their intelligence can only be wrong. Imagine if a human was forced to be in a small room with other people they may not like. What would they tell you? How would they plead for you to end their suffering? One can only imagine what millions of octopuses feel like every day of their lives. We believe that it is okay to lock octopuses up because we cannot hear them scream. Intelligence like that should not be kept locked away in a box, octopuses should be allowed to roam free in the ocean, able to live out their lives in peace with only a chance to be caught, not a death sentence served out in an aquarium of death.
Pain, Octopuses don’t scream, cry or beg, at least not that we can see or hear, but what if they could? Octopuses have many adaptations that allow them to survive, such as a siphon to throw ink and arms with powerful suckers, but a couple of features stand out. An octopus’s eyes come with eyelids, pupils, and a lens similar in complexity to a human eye. They also have a well-developed nervous system, which among many things is what allows humans to feel pain. Octopuses are not so different; pain occurs when your body and mind feel distressed and are on high alert. It is not exceedingly difficult to speculate that such intelligent creatures may be susceptible not only to physical pain but also emotional pain. Their artificial living conditions where they are crammed in a box may very well be causing them distress. They may or may not feel pain, but is it not ethically just to always follow the side of caution when it comes to actions that may affect the well-being of another person? Animals are not people, but they should be treated as such and are entitled to fundamental rights. Why does one species dictate the laws of the animal kingdom to which they themselves pertain? It is because we can talk, and they cannot. We as a species associate language with intelligence, which is why we don’t hurt dogs because everyone knows that in between their barks, they’re trying to speak to you. Scientists have analyzed whale sounds and bird songs; they know that animals have their form of communication and octopuses are not excluded from that. (Photo by Shutterstock) (Photo by Borja Suarez) Continue on Next page
TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT? 2023 O c t o p u s Octopuses are one of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom, holding the title: smartest of their class. They have features comparable in complexity to human anatomy such as their eyes and nervous system. Octopuses are solitary animals who do not like to be together as they are forced to be in aquacultures, which stresses the animal that may be suffering as much as we could. So, consider the octopus the next time you decide to eat Hotpot and make sure that they were wild caught and allowed to live a full life in the vast ocean. They deserve to at least be given the chance to thrive in the ocean and enjoy life as we do. (Image by Raw pixel) (Photo by Daila Jansone) End
ORCAS FOR ENTERTAINMENT by Ai shah H. Telephones ringing, the smell of freshly printed paper lingering in the air, and keyboards clacking welcome me upon my arrival at Time Magazine’s headquarters. It’s another slow, dreadful Monday morning, and I know only one thing can get me through the day—coffee. I set my belongings down at my workspace, exchanging polite smiles with those around me. Just another long day of editing and staring at a bright screen with weary eyes. Just then, Chief Editor Mrs. Lindquist makes her way to my desk. A stack of papers crowded with black words written in ink and fastened by a paper clip appears in her hand. Her cheerful expression gives me skepticism. Oh, what now. She hands me my assignment, expecting me to report “great things” and walks away. The sound of her heels faintly disappears, and I look down at the paper. Orcas. She wants me to write about orcas. A puzzled look dominates my face as I begin brainstorming. Now, where to begin? I open my laptop and search “orcas,” a simple yet effective start. The images that first appeared were no different than what I had expected. I scrolled for quite some time, looking at the way these animals lived in their natural habitat. They were in groups consisting of orcas of different sizes with their shiny black and white bodies glistening in the summer sun. How beautiful. In deep waters, the orcas are closely huddled together with each whale swimming near the others. These orcas seem to mimic each other and live in unison. They emerge out of the water at the same time with their dorsal fin pointed perfectly like blades along the surface. As I continue my search, the images become less appealing. N O M A D I C | 2 4 Photo courtesy of Veg News Orcas continued on the next page Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
"These conditions not only remove the killer whale’s behavioral instincts but also cause significant tissue damage in the dorsal fin that causes it to collapse." Near the bottom of the search page lays gruesome and concerning images. There are images of orcas on stretchers, surrounded by people with frightened faces. Other images show orcas in bright blue tanks with their dorsal fins flopped over. The same ones are shown with bloody gashes and wounds on their skin. News headlines appear on some images indicating the orca’s attacks and the place of the scene— SeaWorld. Suddenly, my weary eyes became intrigued and alert. I spent the next hour searching for similar instances of orcas and their experiences at SeaWorld. How have we been so blind? I now understood my assignment. I made another hot cup of coffee knowing this would take a while, but I knew my time would be worth it. It had to be. I remembered the images of what a healthy orca looked like in the ocean as opposed to the images I found myself looking at now. If these delicate creatures were being harmed while in captivity, why do these parks still exist? Are people choosing to ignore the effects of confinement on orcas? These questions plagued my mind, and I began to question society’s intentions and morals. My mind, previously boggled by the ridicule of the assignment, was now clear and I knew what I had to do. Orcas, while seemingly simple black and white whales, are categorized as a much more complex species. Down the taxonomical tree, humans and orcas share the characteristics of being in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, and Class Mammalia; however, this is where these two species part ways. According to Britannica, orcas are commonly referred to as killer whales. Orcas are classified as being in the Order Cetacea and are the largest members of the dolphin family, Delphinidae. These cetaceans are mammals that can be longer than 30 feet and weigh more than 11 tons, depending on the gender of the whale. Like the lion, killer whales have many sharp teeth. These creatures have around 40 to 50 large conical teeth to tear through the skins of their desired prey, which is typically based on their location. Photo courtesy of Xplore Our Planet The Taxonomy of Orcas Orcas continued on the next page "If you have evolved to move great distances to look for food and mates then you are adapted to that type of movement..." -Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist
Killer whales live in small groups called pods— similar to the behavior of dolphins and seals— consisting of a number fewer than 40. Formerly known as grampuses, killer whales differentiate into two distinct pods and do not interbreed: resident and transient. Those in resident pods enjoy prey such as fish, specifically salmon, and those in transient pods use their killer instincts to lure and devour other cetaceans and seals. From the GALE books Whale and Whales and Dolphins, typical ways of capturing their meals include tipping seals into the water or coming onto shore to prey on sea lions. Often, killer whales will use the technique of echolocation to satisfy their carnivorous appetites. The reflected sounds help orcas catch their prey and help them communicate with members of their pod. These aquatic animals, who have no natural predators, live up to the reputation of being the wolves of the sea; they can travel up to 30 miles per hour and consume around 550 pounds of food every day. According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation USA, as of March of 2023, at least 54 killer whales are in captivity, 25 of which were captured in the wild. The practice of keeping these large, active mammals confined in tanks is highly controversial. Some people argue that it is unethical to place orcas in captivity due to the adverse effects on their well-being. Others argue that there is a greater good that comes from confinement and is the basis for research purposes. People that see placing orcas in captivity as moral argue that it is more beneficial and advantageous than the supposed damage. For one, orcas in captivity contribute to a field of study that enhances the public’s knowledge of these animals. Research Director Dr. Michael Weiss from The Center for Whale Research explains that studying orcas in captivity can provide a modern census of the orca community that can be used to assess the endangered population. This practice allows people to see these animals up close and inspires them towards conservation efforts and preservation. These arguments have some merit because the experience of seeing an animal up close builds an emotional connection and bond; however, author Jane Warley points out that proponents fail to recognize that the search for orca research and data while in confinement is limited because the captive environment is artificial, and orcas behave differently depending on their location. The environment an orca is placed in has different effects and if the environment used to conduct studies is not natural, the results concluded do not have much relevance. Orcas are also placed in captivity to provide various forms of entertainment for the public eye. By putting on strategic performances showcasing the orca’s talents, SeaWorld attracts audiences all over the US, generating lots of revenue. A MacroTrends analysis found that SeaWorld’s gross annual profit in 2022 was $860 million. Catherine Green found that in the San Diego location alone, SeaWorld paid $14 million in rent to the city, making up a large proportion of the city’s economy. If SeaWorld was to completely shut down, more cities would lose large amounts of money and the economy may go down significantly. However, this does not excuse the harsh realities of the treatment of orcas in these facilities. Photo courtesy of Renaud de Stephanis/CIRCE Conservación Information and Research Photo courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor The Controversy at Hand Advantages of Orca Captivity Orcas continued on the next page
A stronger case on the controversy of placing orcas under restrictions proves that the negatives outweigh the desire for research studies and mild forms of entertainment. Advocates against this practice detail that orcas can develop detrimental adversities due to confinement, which can lead to their death. In an article against keeping orcas in captivity, author Jane Warley points out that the unnatural habitat of these orcas causes them to develop unhealthy habits. In captivity, orcas are fed dead fish, have a lack of space, and spend too much time close to the surface. These conditions not only remove the killer whale’s behavioral instincts but also cause significant tissue damage in the dorsal fin that causes it to collapse. Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist, dictates that orcas swim 40 miles a day on average and dive between 100 to 500 feet in their natural environment. If these orcas cannot get their daily exercise and movement in, they may become obese, which will cause more health-related problems. Oftentimes, orcas are mentally abused. In a SeaWorld case analysis, author Oyejobidb Damilola states that orcas trained at SeaWorld for performances are deprived of food for obedience. Considering the abundance of food orcas consume on average in the wild, they are barely fed a fraction of the number in captivity, which can lead to aggression. Orcas in confinement convey levels of frustration that are enough to kill people. Tilikum, one of the SeaWorld orcas, is known for doing just that. Author Katie Javanaud pointed out that Tilikum was involved in several attacks on SeaWorld employees because he was being mistreated and exhibited his species’ instincts in her journal on the future of SeaWorld. Due to his extremely high levels of frustration, he killed his trainer, Dawn Brancheau. For a place that claims to be a rescue organization with the “highest standards of care,” SeaWorld does not live up to these words and reversely, limits conservation efforts. In another way, orcas are mammals that live in pods and when they are placed in captivity, they are separated from their family. As an act of aggression and boredom, orcas will bite the metal bars of tanks. This unnecessary infliction of stress on killer whales will cause them to break areas of their teeth, which leaves them more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia. Ultimately, these infections and alterations on the orca’s body will cause them to die early—a common occurrence for orcas placed in captivity tanks. In this way, efforts to help an endangered species by conducting research are actually aiding in the declining population. Although, there is one solution that benefits both sides of the controversy. Photo courtesy of Daily Record Photo courtesy of The Dodo Disadvantages of Orca Captivity Orcas continued on the next page Orca trying to drown trainer.
Sea pens, netted areas of the oceans, can be utilized as a way to settle the controversy on keeping orcas captive. Sea pens serve a function similar to that of a sanctuary and rescue center. These pens are larger than traditional aquatic tanks and allow the orca to continue to live in a familiar environment and possess the same instincts and behaviors. The sea pens can also be personalized to allow visitation from the public without forcing the orcas to put on a show. This compromise still allows researchers to conduct studies and gives the general public a way to witness the behaviors of a killer whale. The difference is that this environment is not made up of concrete and glass walls and doesn’t force orcas to train rigorously with trainers to entertain a selfish audience. Placing orcas in captivity has many effects that are both beneficial and harmful. However, the debate against captivity establishes a stronger case. Profits may decrease, but the overall conservation efforts will allow this endangered species to thrive in a way that doesn’t jeopardize their existence. If society isn’t careful with the way they treat and try to help animals, more animals will become endangered and eventually populations may completely die off. Settling the conflict Photo courtesy of Save Dolphins "The difference is that this environment is not made up of concreate and glass walls and doesn't force orcas to train rigorously with trainers to entertain a selfish audience." Photo courtesy of Tory Kallman/Shutterstock Sea pens being utilized to study orca behavior.
THE PROBLEM WITH RHINOS BY NATHANIEL H. "THE SCARY THING IS THAT IN MY LIFETIME, 95 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S RHINOS HAVE BEEN KILLED." - MARK CARWARDINE Picture Credit: Simon Needham
As I sit down in my cozy home office, a beeping notification calls me to action, who is emailing me at 6 in the morning? While pondering this perplexing question, I check my email to find an unread message from my chief editor, Mrs. Lindquist. While reading her email I dread the assignment ahead of me: I must submit an article discussing the social dilemma involving rhinos… What is wrong with rhinos? I had difficulty recalling any recent troubling news about rhinos, so I continue to wonder. One thing I do know is that the rhinoceros’ population was rapidly declining… Could this be an effect of this social dilemma? Knowing I know very little adds to the pressure of today’s assignment. Doing research becomes my number one priority. Creating a new Google Chrome tab, I scoured the internet for photos of rhinos. Expecting photos of great grey animals, my expectations were shattered as I viewed the photos of decrepit zoo habitats encaging these poor creatures. Looking at the animal version of Alcatraz made me ponder: What other horrors did the rhino have to face? R H I N O S S T R U G G L I N G I N T H E W I L D Gruesome like photos filled the search results. As I scrolled down the image section on Google, it only got worse. There were pictures of the bloody stumps that were left of a poor rhino’s horn. There were pictures of rhinos that had been recently attacked and bleeding to death. Pictures of people even trying to help dying rhinos. If Google displayed these images when you searched for rhinos, why didn’t more people know about the issues rhinos face? While thinking deeply about this question, I decided to broaden my search. I wanted a default look at what a living rhino was like. Having to type the words “living and healthy rhino” into the search bar, tugged on my heart strings a bit. Poachers were taking the horns and lives of these animals so much that the word Rhino was synonymous with a dying and endangered animal. The rhino was a great grey animal that ruled the land it lived on. With their mighty horns, they defended against any predator that strayed too close. If these animals were too strong, who was behind their pain? I wanted to know what these people looked like. I typed into the Google search bar “rhino poacher” and examined the images that arrived on my screen. People with guns and angry looks flooded my screen. These people spend their day looking for these innocent animals so they can hurt and steal from them. After seeing dead rhinos, healthy rhinos, and their aggressors, a picture formed in my head, and I was ready to start my task. Continued on next page Picture credit: Simon Needham
R H I N O S B E I N G R E H A B I L I T A T E D Exactly what is a rhino? A rhino is a creature dating back millions of years to the Miocene era. They are mammals and are herbivores eating vegetation. There are multiple types of rhinos, but two are the most popular and prevalent. The black rhino and white rhino. Rhinos mainly live in Africa, but other types of rhinos live east like the greater one horned rhino that lives in India, the Sumatran rhino that lives in Indonesia, and the Javan rhino that live in south Indonesia. Before the rhino became a target for greedy little humans, it was a great grey animal that stood on its stable four legs. Much like the bull of Africa, its large stature is what gives it an image of power. This image may be why so many illegal poachers drool at the chance to slaughter these dwindling creatures. The most common rhino is the White rhino. This rhino hangs about in the southern region of Africa. Ceratotherium simum is part of the Rhinocertidae family. The name is derived through Latin from Ancient Greek: meaning with horn on the nose. Other than the White Rhino, there are 4 other species that live throughout Asia and Africa, all of which are threatened by extinction. Black rhinos or, have been dying out since the 1960s. In 1995, black rhino numbers dropped a staggering 98% making the black rhino critically endangered. Not only is the black rhino suffering from their human oppressors, but every rhino species is. Even with the efforts of organizations like the WWF, the number of black rhinos in the wild has fallen and risen to around 6,000. Habitat loss and poaching have caused the number of all rhino species to drop significantly. In the animal world, killing is a natural part of life. The relationship between predator and prey has gone on for as long as life has. But when humans enter the picture with their hunting methods and weapons of death, the balance of hunter verses hunted collapses. The Rhino is a victim of this unbalanced relationship. For many years rhinos have been illegally hunted to the brink of extinction by poachers that primarily hunt the animal for their horns. The rhino horn is the focus of the rhino for many reasons. For one, to keep one of these horns as a trophy is considered rare and prestigious, but the rhino horn also has another use. It is used for medicine. Super seed of another animal? Despite the need for medication to cure illnesses, the rhinos’ needs and livelihood do not fall below humans. Resumed from last page Continued on next page Picture credit: Frank AF Petersens Picture credit: Ian Aitken
R H I N O H O R N M E D I C I N E A N D F A K E R H I N O H O R N S Th e u s e o f rh in o h o rn s is p o p u l a r in A s ia. People who believe in the medicinal prop e rti e s o f rh in o h o rn s will p a y t o p d o ll a r fo r th e c h a n c e t o g e t s o m e. Th is is wh y p o a c h e rs g o o u t o f th e ir wa y t o fin d a n d s t e a l th e h o rn s o f th e s e a n im a ls , m o s t c o m m o n ly s till l e a vin g th e m a li ve a n d s u ffe rin g in th e p ro c e s s. B u t wh y s h o u l d th e p ra c ti c e s t o p ? Th e m o s t o b vi o u s p o in t wo u l d b e t o s t o p th e s u ffe rin g o f th e s e p o o r a n im a ls. N o t o n ly d o p o a c h e rs l e a ve th e rh in o s a li ve a ft e r rip p in g o ff th e ir h o rn s , b u t th e p o p u l a ti o n c a n n o t s up p o rt th e c o n s t a n t p o a c h in g o f th e s e c re a t u re s. I n 1 9 9 6 th e p o p u l a ti o n o f th e s e a n im a ls d e c lin e d b y a b o u t 9 7.6 %. L o we r th a n i t h a d e ve r g o n e b e fo re , a n d a l th o u g h o rg a n iz a ti o n s like th e W WF h a ve m a d e e ffo rts t o ra is e th e rh in o p o p u l a ti o n , th e a n im a l is s till e n d a n g e re d. A n o th e r re a s o n t o s t o p th e c ru e l killin g o f rh in o s a n d s t o p p u t tin g th e ir n e e ds b e l o w u s is th e fa c t th a t rh in o h o rn s m ig h t n o t e ve n p ro vi d e m e di c in a l p ro p e rti e s. People who use rhino horns crush the horn up in t o a p o wd e r a n d c l a im th e u s e s c a n n o t o n ly c u re h e a d a c h e s a n d s t o m a c h p a in , b u t a ls o g o a s fa r a s c u rin g c a n c e r. But no evidence has suggested this is true. It's more likely that the practice of using rhino horns is more unconventional and traditional then based on science and research period not only has science been on the side of rhinos, but it is also providing a solution period t o fig h t th e n e e d fo r p o a c h e rs t o g o o u t a n d rip th e h o rn s o f rh in o s o ff th e a n im a l's h e a d, re s e a rc h e rs h a ve d e ve l o p e d s yn th e ti c rh in o h o rn s. Th e s e h o rn s l o o k, fe e l, a n d e ve n p ro vi d e th e s a m e “m e di c in a l p ro p e rti e s ” th a t s o m e c l a im th e y h a ve. S c i e n tis ts d e ve l o p e d th e s e fa ke h o rn s t o l o we r th e re wa rd fo r p o a c h e rs. I f fa ls e rh in o h o rn s t a ke o ve r th e m a rke t a n d th e p ri c e o f re a l rh in o h o rn s c o m m a th e n th e n e e d fo r p o a c h e rs t o h u n t th e s e a n im a ls will dis a p p e a r a n d th e a n im a l will b e s a ve d. After considering the following, though medicine is important for human survival and some think that rh in o h o rn s p ro vi d e m e di c in a l p ro p e rti e s , th e n e e ds a n d li ve lih o o ds o f rh in o s s h o u l d n o t fa ll b e l o w h u m a n s. Synthetic horns will drop the price of real rhino horn s , n e g a tin g th e n e e d fo r p o a c h e rs t o h u n t a n d kill rh in o s fo r p ro fi t. Th e s u ffe rin g th a t p o a c h in g c a u s e s will e n d a n d rh in o n u m b e rs will b e g in t o c lim b a g a in. Resumed from last page Picture creditL Paul Fleet Picture credit: Ingram Pinn Picture credit: Brent Stirton
THE WOLF'S PLACE IN NATURE Writt en b y Na b e e l a A. Ed it e d b y Na b e e l a A. T H E W O L F ' S P L A C E I N N A T U R E C O N T I N U E S O N P A G E 2 In our Honey Magazine’s office, coffee drips from the machine, employees are chattering, and papers are scuffling around. The time is 9:30 am, and I am already on my sixth Awake Caffeine Bar, I feel so drained, and I only got 4 hours of sleep. I sat down in my chair to continue my research articles regarding the Houston Zoo and downtown area as my chief editor, Ms. Lindquist, came into my cubicle to give me a new assignment on the topic of wolves. At that moment, my mind had gone into disbelief—like I have time for that!? At first, the assignment seemed so irrelevant to contemporary society because no one really paid attention to wolves since they just lived in their own area away from humans. As a child, I always thought wolves were the cutest animals; I even had a stuffed plushie of one that I always played with. My ultimate childhood favorite growing up was Wild Kratts2; in their episode about wolves, they discussed wolves' habitats, food preferences, and means of protection. By watching these episodes, I learned that many wolves constantly stay in packs, doing everything together. . Credit: Jacob W. Frank
Wolves in Devastation T H E W O L F ' S P L A C E I N N A T U R E C O N T I N U E S O N P A G E 3 T H E W O L F ' S P L A C E I N N A T U R E I also question if many wolves are separated from human society because of fear, which most people begin to be afraid of after hearing many cases of wolf bites and attacks. I browsed through images on the internet to start my research on wolves, and I saw a number of wolves roaming around their land or in the snow. Because the photographs were so professionally taken and concentrated mostly on the wolves' features and details, I particularly loved how accurately portrayed the wolves were. Some also depicted wolves socializing with people as a kind of bonding, which I thought was lovely. Due to the fact that wolves are almost never depicted alone and are always in packs of two or three, I would personally characterize wolves as being extremely affectionate toward one another. At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly, but as I scrolled down, I stumbled onto some incredibly upsetting images of wolves being hanged in a warehouse, laid out on the floor, and even shot. I was quite concerned about this issue because wolves are generally considered to be harmless and innocent animals unless someone causes them distress. In that instant, I developed the trauma of avoiding looking at those pictures again, and I started looking into the problems wolves are dealing with. The widespread dread of wolves in this civilization has given rise to numerous dilemmas about using cruel methods like shooting, trapping, and other terrible ideas to reduce wolf populations and safeguard against cattle and humans. By having a fear of wolves in this society, it has led to many ethical dilemmas regarding inflicting pain from hunting, trapping, and other horrible suggestions to control the amount of wolf numbers and protect livestock and humans. Credit: Dennis Fast Credit: Yellowstone National Park Credit: Jim Cumming
Get to Know the Wolf Wolf populations play a vital role in the environment, but it has been said they also cause serious loss for the farmers and ranchers who depend on cattle for their lifestyle. From these viewpoints, I have observed that wolves are not just being mistreated for these protections, but humans often hunt wolves for their own personal satisfaction and enjoyment, is killing a wolf that great!? For common knowledge, most people know that a wolf is basically a wild dog. But taxonomically speaking, they are members of the family Canidae, which is distinguished by their long, lean bodies, big noses, enormous pointed ears, and claws that do not retract. The Canidae family also includes domestic dogs, coyotes, foxes, and jackals, which belong to the larger taxonomy of the genus Canis (Britannica), which contains other canid species that are well adapted to hunting and scavenging a wide range of prey depending on their habitat and social structure. Canis lupus, sometimes known as gray wolves, are carnivorous creatures that consume mostly meat. They can hunt huge animals like elk, deer, bison, and moose because they are apex predators. Moreover, they eat smaller animals, including beavers, rats, and rabbits. They may also consume fish and other aquatic animals in some areas. The widespread dread of wolves in modern culture has given rise to a slew of ethical concerns about wolf mistreatment. Cruel methods such as killing, poisoning, trapping, and other heinous concepts were utilized to control wolf populations from fear to protect animals and humans. During several of these years, there was widespread killing, which resulted in the disappearance of a considerable number of wolves. T H E W O L F ' S P L A C E I N N A T U R E C O N T I N U E S O N P A G E 4 T H E W O L F ' S P L A C E I N N A T U R E Credit: Princeton
The Tragic Loss of Wolf Populations According to the "Washington Post," a high number of people have been murdered in Yellowstone National Park, eradicating nearly a fourth of the local population. A lady observed a painful event in which many of the wolves' body parts were severed, producing incredulity that people actually commit such acts of animal cruelty and revealing a gruesome side of mankind that becomes the most significant threat. Many of these wolves are gentle creatures, and if they are harmed, there will be consequences for others. Hunters have been killing wolves for personal gratification for many decades, which often leads to numerous different perspectives since sensitive concerns are raised. If the wolf population continues to decline, the lives of many other species will shift. Wolves are important for ecology, in the article, "The Defenders of Wildlife," they keep the food chain of all animals progressing and remaining continuous by not having too many of the same species for regulation. Although wolf numbers are crucial for ecology, it has been suggested that they do significant harm to farmers and ranchers who rely on livestock for a living. There has been a desire to increase wolf population control so that states can have access and ability to protect farmers and wildlife. According to the "Department of Fish and Wildlife," a large concentration of wolves reduces the number of herds, affecting the natural landscape's vegetation and agriculture production. Many positive results result from hunting these creatures, such as an easier job for farm employees who no longer have to worry about their cattle being killed by wolves for food. Another disadvantage of having wolves around is that it might result in a decrease in societal products such as crops, milk, and other necessities. An example from, "Living with Wolves," when wolves are hunted, their pacts are broken apart, making it difficult for them to work together to obtain food. T H E W O L F ' S P L A C E I N N A T U R E C O N T I N U E S O N P A G E 5 Credit: Lambley's Hunt from the Heart Credit: Weebly
The wolf is vital in an ecosystem because it is one of the predators that limit the numbers of other species, bringing the ecosystem back into balance. The most concerning thoughts are motivated by cruelty, which provides for numerous suggestions on how to better safeguard cattle and humanity from wolf fear. To present an alternative to shooting wolves for personal satisfaction and protection, tight laws on national parks and natural habitats, such as limiting the number of people and having clear contraindications to hunting, should be implemented. Fines for trespassing and breaking the laws of the area could be imposed on tourists and hunters. Many people believe that confining wolves is a better method to keep them safe, although it is recommended that they be free in their natural surroundings. VITALITY OF THE WOLF As a result, having adequate protection in their natural habitat is preferable to how other animals are protected, such as in camps or zoos. While it is reasonable that farmers and ranchers may feel threatened by wolves and their possible influence on their livelihoods, protecting these animals is critical for sustaining the natural environments' health and well-being. Furthermore, it is critical to acknowledge that coexistence between wolves and people is possible, and that there are a variety of non-lethal measures that may be used to lessen conflicts between the two groups. Wolf conservation is a moral necessity that represents our society's principles of respect for all kinds of life. Credit: Waitandshoot Credit: Susi Suolla
WRITTEN BY MATTHEW A. EDITED BY LARANA MAGAZINE MATTHEW A. NATURE JOURNAL BRINGING BACK THE PACK I am going to start out with a bit of honesty, wolves are not very relevant to my daily life. They were not even a part of my infantile fascinations with animals when I was merely a wee lad. So, I thought----a quick google search might fix this. But I came out empty handed, or empty pawed I should say. Does this animal, even present moral nuances that I can extrapolate and relate to my suburbanite lifestyle? Wolves have been historically on a downtrend for a while now. However there are certain areas where they continue to prosper and even disturb farmers by hunting their cattle. Is it okay to use lethal measures as protection? A lonely night, my pupils puffed up and red from the hours prior of non-stop screentime, I looked at the bottom right corner, 2 AM. I felt the need to continue nonetheless, I instinctively pressed on YouTube’s icon. A surge of dopamine followed----hmm what does today’s recommendation bar gift me today? VOLUME II Before my eyes flashed a music video from the 90s, a video arguing that everyone should own an AR-15, a video advocating for the personal advice of Mark Rowlands, and finally, the most eye-popping video of them all, a video about a hunter downing 4 wolves in a singular night. I found the shock value of seeing wolves meet their mortality on camera for personal enjoyment outraging, yet intriguing at the same time. There was some sort of compelling force because of the controversial nature of the video that almost coerced me to click on it. The video opened, a viewer discretion prefaced me to warn of the graphic content that would be displayed in the video. Feeling the inflated sense of mental toughness and maturity that comes with the pride of being a teenage boy, I continued with no hesitancy. A man in a dedicated army-green hunting outfit, began to excitedly whisper about the prospects of a local pack of wolves possibly residing within the surrounding serene and thicket woodland forest. He strolled around, making himself no stranger to the woods by parading brown and green face paint, as he held his flashy hunting gun, looking around deviously. It was clear this man had, fatal intentions. Bloodlust. I saw the pack collectively investigating a patch of grass in which he sprayed left predator-call. I felt their impending doom, although they did not feel it themselves. (Continued on next page) (photo courtesy of KnowYourMeme)
One shot rang out, one fell to the floor. A second shot rang out, a second one struggled to stay up. A third shot rang out, a third one spasmed uncontrollably, as if it had lost all sense of motor control, to which it probably did. A fourth shot rang out, it, it confirmed the first kill of the first wolf. A fifth shot rang out, all the remaining of the pack fell to the ground. And with a barrage of whimpers, his goal had been accomplished. The man faced the camera and smiled like he had fallen in love, to which he had, only just with the accomplishment of killing wolves. The most protruding sight, a family of dead wolves. My hand shook before me, a violating feeling. How could this be so openly displayed? Applauded, looked upon as a sight of glamor. It was, appalling. But in some sense, I got the appeal, to see the cycle of nature perpetuated. The brutality is grueling, but euphoric. I could sort of find the allure in a clean kill after that. A gun, is proof of one’s pure mental strength---- strength to take a life without hesitancy. I scrolled down, counting on the comments to certify my initial feelings of disgust--- surely there would be a great moral retribution against this guy right? No such validation was found. Instead the hunter was designated as a “hero”, “skilled-man”, “warrior”, with some even going as far to comment that the world and especially the wilderness needed more men of his trade. It all appeared to me in some sort of unanimous fashion, there was no one even hinting about the pain and struggle the wolves themselves must have felt in the whole ordeal. I felt like there was a piece in the puzzle that I was missing, what made this brutality so okay and admired? I mean wolves themselves are not far off from being our friends. Obviously, we share pride of being mammals. And they share every single biological classification possible with our best friends (a dog is a man’s best friend), their order Carnivora, their family Canidae, their genus Canis, and their species is even the exact same according to Britannica. Why do we treat dogs, essentially the same biological entity, with such stark favoritism as compared to wolves? These animals are typically portrayed in a sinister light, as if there is some vicious nature to their existence. We treat them as the evil cousins of the dog. If you search wolves in Google, you will aisles and aisles of menacing images, traveling in packs, looking for meek prey to surround and tear to pieces. If you were to have absolutely no prior knowledge of the animal, and then were to solely use google to piece together the mysterious canine, you would most likely hold them as a menace, an animal with a savagery akin to a dolphin or lion. Prompting the question, does society inherently poison the well with wolves to unconsciously justify a misguided habit of hunting? At first glance, it seems pretty easy to find the solution if you think about it. Hunting is just another one of the myriads of selfish human evils and it requires that obviously needs to stop and probably will at some point. Killing is plainly bad and there need be no more questions asked. (Continued onto the next page). Wolves have up to 42 teeth. Meaning they are hunting animals, giving them their hostile images in popular media. (photo courtesy of Endlen on Pinterest)
= When is reality ever that facile and unambiguous though? When 60% of Alberta beef farmers have been affected by wolf predation by losing one animal or more to predators according to professor Louchouarn, is the conservation of some “precious” wildlife and prevention of unrequited pain justified? These creatures are not just the innocent victims of human savagery that you can easily make them out to be. Ranchers, breeders, and herders suffer under their dependency on livestock kept for exclusively human agricultural needs. Wolf presence now correlates with an increasing cost for the maintenance of a commercial livestock operation because of their predation says expert Musiani. Several methods are common with ranchers when it comes to combatting wolves, wolf culling (hunting for those uninitiated), electric fencing around livestock, and the removal of wolves from a specific area where livestock production is more sparse and the general terrain is wilder professor Musiani confers . These methods are often financially challenging and only make the economic losses of wolf presence higher than they would usually be, except of course culling. Culling only requires a rifle and the will to take life. Therefore, should we take into consideration the poor temporary sensations of a wolf as it is measly shot by a rifle or should we let farmers, ranchers, and herders rightfully protect what is theirs and continue to provide valuable agricultural product for our society undisturbed? I am sure the answer is fairly clear-cut at this point, although hunting wolves is clearly not the answer to every situation regarding them, even if they are disturbing the performance of a livestock oriented farm, there are definitely situations in which their killing may be far more detrimental to the broader environment, far outweighing the immediate convenience of the local agriculturalists. When wolves were existentially expelled from lands they found native such as Scotland, it was a grave loss to the environment, as they were a keystone species. However their maintenance and reintroduction, could have numerous benefits. Apex predators such as wolves could potentially prevent any specific prey from becoming the most domineering of the ecosystem and competing the other prey out of their habitat expert Gwynn confesses. Therefore, is the answer to the hunting question a careful median between free-range hunting and an absolute ban? Society, as partial and polar as it gets, seems to neglect the hunting question, now in 2023, the year of extreme technological emphasis, and an urban lifestyle that does not immediately face the average person with the gruesome nature of the wild, it seems that the wolf only gets further and further irrelevant as time passes on. I mean, was I really thinking about this canine on a daily basis before the prompt for this article came before me? ---- no, I was not. And perhaps it will remain that way afterwards, but all it proves to me is that the hardened ignorance of nature instilled in me from my modern upbringing will continue to void a just answer to this controversy forever, but it does not have to be that way. I mean, there are still countless ways to relate to this animal thanks to the help of technology too. I can watch videos that cite countless facts that I will only blindly assume to be true on YouTube. I can pour over articles that detail the evolutionary history of the Wolf all without the cost of a dime, and it was perhaps these channels of intriguing knowledge that will push me to consider the wolf. To consider that we as a society should endeavor to treat wolves appropriately, hunt them when it is beneficial to not just humanity, but nature as a whole, and guard their survival when they are on the brink of extinction. (photo courtesy of @RootsOfSteel on Twitter)
THE HORN ON THE WALL Juan Diego Blanco. I never really considered Rhinoceros an exciting animal, or as some may consider them a “cute” creature, I was in disbelief when I found out people pay thousands of dollars to see them, pet them, and take photos with them, - there is no way people pay for that.- Due to my curiosity I decided to investigate, and study the animal, as my dad mentioned that the Rhino is one of the most vital living animals to human society. Due to my dad telling me how important the Rhinoceros are to some cultures, I decided to investigate, -They are just another animal people benefit from- were my thoughts before investigating the animal. After taking my time to study rhinoceros, I learned that they are animals with a history of more than 50 million years on the planet, rhinos are an iconic species. After reading the research done by Stellenbosch University, it taught me that they are essential to ecosystem function since thousands of other plant and animal species rely on them for survival. Some of the most underprivileged communities in Africa also support ecotourism and safari sectors. The rhino's splendor and curse are its horns.. Google has the option of showing images of any certain subject a person looks at. I decided to search for Rhinos images, as I was wondering about the type of and how they may look like, since most people may distinguish rhinoceroses by their enormous bodies, stumpy legs, and either one or two dermal horns, but what I found on images was quite different. It was Rhinos being hunted, their horns being hung on a wall where only the rich could afford to live, although such tragic actions were shown in the images, pictures of the different variations of rhinos appeared, rhinos with 2 horns instead of one, some that are skin hairless, some rhinos have such a heavy skin that it forms an armor like around their body which left me in disbelief. World’s Saddest Rhino Who Cried After Horn Was Ripped Off Released Back Into Wild. (n.d.). Newsweek 90. https://www.newsweek.com/crying-rhino-horn-ripped-offreleased-wild-poaching-1672221 "How can such an animal history go unnoticed." Rhinos are of great economic value and ecological significance, making rhino conservation beneficial. Rhinos, mainly through tourism, contribute significantly to the local economy. Wildlife tourism, including rhino-focused activities such as safari tours and conservation-oriented vacations, generates significant money for communities living within protected areas. Lindquist editorial
Smith and Walpole (2005) conducted a case study in Namibia to highlight the economic benefits of rhino conservation. It was discovered that the presence of rhinos drew a greater number of tourists, resulting in increased income for local communities. This income, in turn, fosters sustainable development, improves infrastructure, and funds education and healthcare projects. According to Africa Geographic, Rhinos are a “Keystone species” - Since they are essentially living fossils, they benefit the globe. They have existed for millions of years, and humans are their only serious threat. In addition to helping their species, environments, and societies merely by existing, rhinos are compassionate animals that do not hurt humans. Because of the natural resources that provide food, fuel, and money inside the rhino habitat, humans benefit from having rhinos. The rhino, one of Africa's "big five," is a significant source of revenue. The big five stands for how challenging it is to hunt lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and buffalo. For trophy hunters, dangerous animals are enormous prizes. By aiding in rhino conservation, we ensure that local populations will continue to benefit from natural resources for many years to come, per rhino contains millions of bytes of genetic information. You lose that once they are all gone. Yes, you can freeze some of them for research in the future, but for studies using today's technology, you still need to keep the animals alive. While I continued my research on the pandora box that Rhinos have, I came across a website that allows people to hunt or hurt the Animal enough to steal the horn which can profit the hunter in terms of money, and although some people may argue that taking the Rhino’s horn to extract the creatine 4 that it is found inside it is worth it since the Rhino does not feel any pain and the horn can grow back in approximate 3 years, the cutting of the horns should not be supported, because, After three years, a rhino that has had its horn removed without causing damage to the skull can regrowth to virtually full size. But if the rhino's skull is damaged during dehorning, it can make the horn's regrowth difficult or impossible, and there is no proof that every hunter is correctly cutting the horn in order for it to grow back as it is naturally supposed to. Baby Rhino Born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Time to Celebrate World Rhino Day. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://people.com/pets/baby-rhino-born-san-diego-zoo-safari-park-beforeworld-rhino-day/. rhino conservation is consistent with our ethical obligation to protect and maintain biodiversity. Humans, as the dominant species on Earth, have a moral imperative to ensure the existence of other species. Compassion and respect for all living beings should guide our activities. We demonstrate our dedication to the stewardship of our planet and its various people by saving rhinos. Lastly, rhino conservation is critical for the health of ecosystems, cultural heritage, and economic development. These magnificent species have intrinsic and instrumental worth, and we must take responsibility for their survival. We create a harmonic balance in nature, retain cultural links, boost tourism and economic growth, facilitate scientific research, and uphold our ethical obligation as Earth caretakers by saving rhinos. Let us work together to protect these amazing creatures and ensure a brighter future for future generations.