Creatures of field and forest are benefitting from the planetary lockdown.
—John Fitzgerald
It’s a sad reflection on human behaviour that the planetary lockdown has proven beneficial to a wide variety of bird and animal species, with all sorts of creatures seemingly enjoying a respite from relentless persecution and industrial-scale destruction of their habitats.
Ireland is no exception to this pattern. It’s as if the creatures of field and forest have found a little breathing space thanks to our quite natural preoccupation with staying safe and alive during this pandemic.
I hope it won’t be just a case of business as usual in our treatment of those ‘lesser beings’ when lockdown ends. Please… no return to shameful under-resourcing of the Parks and Wildlife Service while horse and greyhound racing are heavily subsidized by the State. Or to the scandals of live hare coursing and foxhunting.
Over these past five weeks, families have explored the wonders of nature close to their homes. They have spotted hares in their natural habitat, untrammeled by human interference – an uncommon and uplifting sight. Foxes have been turning to the streets of towns and villages, grateful for the scraps of food donated by locked-down humans.
Surely, to resume the abuse of these magnificent wild creatures post-lockdown should be unthinkable? Having given ourselves time to appreciate their allotted place in our world let’s now respect their right to live their own humble lives in peace.
Because let’s face it: even socially distanced animal cruelty, masquerading as “sport”, would be an abomination.
EDUCATE TOGETHER calls for a properly resourced education system - Education Matters
educationmatters.ie
EDUCATE TOGETHER proposes a number of changes in order to fittingly address the challenges faced in the Irish education system.galwaybayfm.ie
SportOthers Galway Bay’s Róisín Mitchell-Ward Tells Galway Bay FM about her Experience at the Junior European Sailing Championships 9 August 2023 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Email GBFM NewsSETU launches globally in Washington DC - Education Matters
educationmatters.ie
Ireland’s South East Technological University (SETU) was launched globally last week at a special reception held in Washington DC.