Save the Butterflies!

[RB TexLa]

Border fence seen harming ocelots, butterflies
By Ed Stoddard

ON THE RIO GRANDE, Texas (Reuters) - The riot of green vegetation that lines both sides of the Rio Grande river along the southeast Texas and Mexican border can give a canoeist the impression of gliding past unbroken wilderness.

In reality one of the most ecologically diverse corners of the United States has been diced up by farming and urban sprawl into isolated fragments of habitat that support far less wildlife than when they were whole.

Now, conservationists are concerned that a planned border security fence to stem illegal immigration from Mexico could cut this delicate area up even more and possibly remove the corridor of vital riverbank habitat that remains.

Animals at risk of local extinction include the U.S. population of the ocelot, a wild cat that is down to a few dozen animals, and several species of birds. Rare native plants such as sabal palm trees are down to a few isolated patches.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070724/lf_nm/usa_environment_dc_1

[pitohui]

1. the ocelot argument is bogus, it's already extirpated in the usa

if we want to pretend that one ocelot crossing the border every three decades into new mexico counts for something, we can, but it isn't scientifically defensible in my view

butterflies have wings

the border is wide open and i've watched people cross myself at various locations, using various means, either we think our border worth protecting or we don't?

what is destroying habitat is farming and human settlement and frankly anything that interferes with human movement/farming/life in the area is good for wildlife

[Kajsa]

2. And the question remains,

will this fence really put a damper on illegal immigration?

The consensus with those I've spoken with, here in SoCal
is 'No'.This comes from residents in many ethnic groups.

And now this!-

In King George's world, ocelots and butterflies
aren't necessary.

" we'll replace 'em with other nanimals"
( no, that's not a typo)

:grr:

[RB TexLa]

3. kicked for the ocelots