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U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

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Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#41

Post by BitwiseFool »

_gmnw wrote: post #19
BitwiseFool wrote: post #13

I like to think that the Hawaiian practice of using native bird feathers for large and elaborate cloaks might let us pursue de-extinction through DNA extraction and cloning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CA%BBAhu_%CA%BBula Just think about how many individual birds' feathers contributed towards making these. And we know plenty of the yellow feathers are from the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird which was declared extinct. The Kauaʻ…

I love that the answer is always more technology will save us. Whether it's carbon removal advances or cloning, we just look towards future advancements instead of cleaning up our act. I understand that expecting some sort of big shift in how we live is not feasible, it's just a shame.

I wasn't trying to imply we can just "let it be" because we can undo it later. I actually follow Hawaiian Ecosystem conservation and I do what little I can to help. But I understand where you are coming from. Simply consider my original post hopium.

Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#43

Post by look_lookatme »

ipsin wrote: post #26

Once a species is declared extinct, is it legal to hunt? I realize this may sound like a weird question, but I'm curious if there had ever been mistakes like this, with a lack of protection leading to actual accidental extinction.

Hunting laws in general vary state by state but for the most part you can’t just go out and kill any random thing flying around. There generally has to be some sort of formal designation that a species can be hunted. Otherwise don’t kill it.

Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#45

Post by nixpulvis »

ipsin wrote: post #26

Once a species is declared extinct, is it legal to hunt? I realize this may sound like a weird question, but I'm curious if there had ever been mistakes like this, with a lack of protection leading to actual accidental extinction.

If there's not already a case in the books, that simply goes to show that we have done a good job not mislabeling species as extinct. The Endangered Species Act surely still applies, if anything the punishment would be more severe.

This question is absurd.

Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#46

Post by dmkolobov »

WalterBright wrote: post #40
dmkolobov wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Comments like that suggest no such thing. There is plenty of middle ground, including restrictions on corporate election donations, and generally limiting corporate lobbyists access to our legislators.

Again, you're saying government control won't have these problems. Socialist governments produced tremendous environmental problems because even though the government consisted solely of altruistic, self-sacrificing, dedicated, incorruptible administrators, the people still needed food, clothing, and washing machines. And the government would try to provide them, rather than face mass starvation.

No, I am not.

I am saying corporate interests are not aligned with those of the people at large, they are aligned exclusively with those of their shareholders. I do not want my country’s laws to reflect a small group’s desires to make money.

Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#47

Post by BitwiseFool »

nly wrote: post #29
BitwiseFool wrote: post #13

I like to think that the Hawaiian practice of using native bird feathers for large and elaborate cloaks might let us pursue de-extinction through DNA extraction and cloning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CA%BBAhu_%CA%BBula Just think about how many individual birds' feathers contributed towards making these. And we know plenty of the yellow feathers are from the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird which was declared extinct. The Kauaʻ…

Do feathers even contain DNA? Aren't they just keratin? Hair sans follicle can't be used for DNA extraction for example

The base of the feathers do, "Feathers are known to contain amplifiable DNA at their base (calamus) and have provided an important genetic source from museum specimens." https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2009.075...

There are also museum specimens, but as you can imagine, way less diverse genetic material can be gathered from those collections.

Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#48

Post by nixpulvis »

look_lookatme wrote: post #43
ipsin wrote: post #26

Once a species is declared extinct, is it legal to hunt? I realize this may sound like a weird question, but I'm curious if there had ever been mistakes like this, with a lack of protection leading to actual accidental extinction.

Hunting laws in general vary state by state but for the most part you can’t just go out and kill any random thing flying around. There generally has to be some sort of formal designation that a species can be hunted. Otherwise don’t kill it.

There's absolutely nothing stopping me from killing ants, or even stopping my cat from killing rats. Hunting is regulated, but it's not all species by default.

Re: U.S. declares more than 20 species extinct after exhaustive searches

#50

Post by bluedevil2k »

In theory, species should be going extinct all the time as the climate changes, from ecological changes, invasive species, new species forming, etc. The real question, is the rate of species going extinct increasing? (I believe the answer to that is yes). But the mere headline “species goes extinct” should make us react “yeah, that’s how evolution works”.
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