It is interesting to note how diverse the environmental movement has grown with its accompanying philosophy in the varying arena. While this is complex, evolving and involving, I shall at this point look at the animal trade aspect and what this means to… me?
The African landscape is interesting to observe. Elephants, lions, rhinos, plus numerous large mammals, birds and amphibians are ‘extinct’ in some localities due to over hunting (certain ethnic group consider ‘bush meat’ a delicacy). These species’ meats are either highly priced and provides income and/or supports the protein needs in a family. Sometimes, both factors come into play. The continental landscape thence portrays a declining population of large mammals from West to South of Africa. Human population and a non-touristic based economy in West Africa, further aggravates animal hunting, compared to East and Southern Africa.
This January I was in Central America, El Salvador, to be specific. At a market place in San Salvador, the sight of the entrapped animals, mostly reptiles and birds is awful to see. The innocent animals were held trapped in strings that bind their limbs to their body until a buyer comes to determine their final fate (food or pet). This is saddening. Is the cruelty and gratification demanded by the perpetrator either in Africa, Americas or elsewhere, visible to their own eyes? May be not. Someone will argue that we are all entrapped by the invisible hands of nature. Very true; sans aucun doute! Humans has intelligence which In itself calls for responsibility.
Numerous national and international conventions exist, trying to shape us up, but the convention to truly address humane part of us remains obscure or better put, peut-être aucun. Cultures, traditions, social, economic and political end points, among several others, come into play herein. Therefore, we can hardly say what is right or wrong. But, does our conscience come into play when we decide the fate of the other species, based on our immediate needs or gratification? It depends on who you talk to. The Ogun worshipper in West Africa will not see anything wrong in dog sacrifice (a dog lover will faint at such a sight); nor will I agree with the trapping, killing and eating of anything for food or sacrifice, except grains and legumes. It comes down to our belief systems and how needs are defined within this context.
We can go on. But to avoid boredom, I shall conclude. Anyone familiar with Ramayan will remember how Dasarath, as young king went hunting in the forest. His skillful marksmanship is not limited to sight shooting alone. Sound to this expert king is as good as sight. He never miss his target. But one day, that skill brought down a different kill. History tells thus:
Two couples live in the forest as ascetics with their only son. They were both blind. So the only sight they have is this son. After fasting, they were to break fast with the water from the Sarayu river, as their solace. They sent the boy forth to the river. As he leveled the pitcher into the river, Dasarath heard the sound. The accompanying agonizing sound that followed was that of a human and not what he had thought.
Dasarath went before the blind ascetic couples to beg for forgiveness as the dying boy as told him to. He had to, because there will be a consequence for his action. Saddened by the news, the coupled decided it is time to depart this planet and instructed Dasarath to prepare a cremation fire for their son, which he did. The couple both leaped into the cremation fire of their only son, but as they proceed, they curse Dasarath thus: ‘in your old age you will also die from separation from your son as you have caused us to’. Dasratha died lamenting separation from Rama. I leave the rest to vedic historians.
Little to say, there are consequences for our actions, either at the individual level, or collective level. Hunting, trapping and killing of innocent animals has no ethical justification, if we sought peace and harmony. Nay, they bring forth negative consequences.
The good health we seek for, the love of the planet we longed for, ecological, social and economic sustainability can very well be attained if we all live on fruits and vegetables, nuts legumes and all that is plant based. But the tongue protests. Thus a justification for animal based food. Neither the sophisticated agricultural system nor the pharmaceutical ingenuity of our time will save the day. We remain the architects and engineers of healthy self, and world. Both are mutually dependent, inseparable and contagious. I can go on…
So, will the animal racketeer of sub-Saharan Africa, Central America or Asia be happy and self-fulfilled? Will the palate gratifying population of north east west and south and center of the equation with taste for wild or domesticated species find good health, longevity of life, internal and external peace, accompanied by an ethical inclination to save all that be and eat from the lowest of the pyramid? It depends on who you ask. I’ll give you my opinion: No!
A reflection along these lines may indeed open the door to augmented environmental consciousness. But either way, it is a recipe for harmony within and between individuals and species.
Note: I wrote this piece after my return from El Salvador in January and forgot to post it. Other emerging issues drove me to my blog, only to remind myself that this need come first.
