At what point does a pondmeister intervene with natural animal events?
-
We were just confronted with this question and thought it might make for good discussion.
Donna-ski and I purchased our LNP property as a block of raw, unmanaged timber. We had a vision for a nature preserve and have done what we consider a pretty good job moving it along to fruition, albeit at a pretty slow pace. We recently were confronted with muskrat damage to our shore banks. This was unacceptable since it compromised the pond. We felt we made a good decision to intervene and have them removed by lethal trapping. Ironically, it was the first decision contrary to our commitment for a nature preserve. The trapper asked us if we would allow him to trap for coons and skunks, too. At first, it seemed like a good idea, anticipating that they would also be nothing but a nuisance...but...it just adds to the lethal direction we were leaning on what was supposed to be a nature preserve. He also asked if he could gig some bullfrogs. Same feeling from us. (btw, I know some of you are already thinking "uh oh, watch out bski...this guys sounds like he could wind up being a poaching problem". I have many reasons to put that fear behind me, so trust me and scratch that from the thread subject matter). My trapper was very receptive to my declination of his requests regarding coons, skunks, and BF. He said that he has many clients that feel the same way and respects the posture. He carefully reminded me, tho, that coons and skunks and possums can be the biggest negative factor in duck reproduction. This is no news to us, but delivered within the context of what we are considering caused us to take pause. Hmmmm....so at what point do we attempt to become the human version of Mother Nature and actively promote and kill species for the betterment of the community?
At this point, we define the breakpoint by whether an animal has become a nuisance that causes significant damage. The muskrats are tearing up our shoreline and could compromise 14 million gallons of water. That qualifies as a nuisance; decision is locked. But what of the coons, skunks, possums, and the other egg eaters. They haven't caused us a problem....yet....at least that we know of. But, how do we know if they aren't destroying duck and wild turkey eggs and propogation. And even then, how much is normal and acceptable natural selection and how much should be controlled? What of other predator/prey scenarios? It all brings me back to:
At what point does a pondmeister intervene with natural animal events?
