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The Golden Rule

When you cull a doe in January, February and March this is what you are really killing.

Explain this to your children and grandchildren.

When Jesus said, "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you" He was not just speaking of other persons but everything. As we watch ecosystems collapse around the world, we are beginning to understand this. When it comes to deer culls what we are doing to them will eventually be done to us. "What goes around comes around" or karma is something I have seen played out many times in my life.

We are learning that animals have more complex social lives than once believed.

Scientific research continues to reveal the complexity of social lives among various animal species. Our understanding of animal behavior and social structures has evolved significantly over the years. While traditional views often portrayed animals as driven solely by instinct and devoid of complex social lives, modern research has challenged these assumptions.

Many species exhibit intricate social behaviors, communication systems, and relationships. Here are a few examples:

1. Chimpanzees and Bonobos: These close relatives of humans are known for their complex social structures. They engage in cooperation, conflict resolution, and even exhibit cultural variations between groups.

2. Elephants: Elephants are known for their strong social bonds and complex communication. They live in family groups led by matriarchs, and individuals display empathy, grief, and cooperation.

3. Dolphins: Dolphins are highly intelligent and social animals. They form complex social groups, communicate using a variety of vocalizations, and engage in cooperative behaviors, such as hunting together.

4. Orangutans: These great apes also have complex social structures. While they are generally more solitary compared to chimpanzees, there is evidence of social learning, cultural behaviors, and occasional social interactions.

5. Birds: Many bird species exhibit sophisticated social behaviors. For example, crows and ravens are known for problem-solving abilities and complex social structures. Some bird species engage in cooperative breeding and show signs of long-term bonding.

6. Social Insects: Ants, bees, and termites are examples of social insects with highly organized societies. They exhibit complex divisions of labor, communication through pheromones, and coordinated activities for the benefit of the colony.

Advancements in technology, such as sophisticated observation techniques, GPS tracking, and genetic analyses, have contributed to our deeper understanding of animal behavior in their natural environments. As a result, researchers are discovering that animals often possess more complex cognitive abilities and social structures than previously believed. This evolving understanding highlights the importance of respecting and preserving the natural behaviors and habitats of animals in the wild.

Based on our new understanding of the complexity of animal life do humans have the right to kill any animal simply because that animal inconveniences them?

The ethical and legal considerations surrounding the killing of animals by humans vary widely depending on cultural, legal, and philosophical perspectives. In many societies, there are laws and regulations that govern the treatment of animals and define acceptable reasons for killing them. These reasons often include self-defense, protection of property, and hunting for food in some contexts.

However, ethical discussions on this topic often center around the concept of animal rights and welfare. Many people believe that animals have intrinsic value and deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. From this perspective, the right to kill animals is limited to situations where it is necessary for survival, self-defense, or the prevention of harm, rather than for mere convenience.

It's important to consider the broader implications of our actions on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the well-being of individual animals. Practices such as factory farming, trophy hunting, and the destruction of habitats for human convenience are often subject to ethical scrutiny and debate.

Ultimately, the question of whether humans have the right to kill any animal that inconveniences them is complex and depends on a variety of factors, including cultural norms, legal frameworks, ethical beliefs, and individual perspectives on the value of animal life.

Let’s consider how sophisticated the life of a White-Tailed deer is and then consider the ramifications of killing them simply because we do not want to share space with them. And what that says about us.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are highly adaptable and widely distributed mammals found in North and South America. Their lives are sophisticated in terms of their behaviors, social structures, and survival strategies. Here are some aspects of the sophisticated life of white-tailed deer:

1. Social Structure:

   • Family Groups: White-tailed deer typically form family groups, especially during the fawning season. These groups often consist of a doe (female), her fawns, and sometimes a yearling from the previous year.

   • Solitary Behavior: While they form family groups, adult males (bucks) are often more solitary outside the breeding season.

2. Communication:

   • Vocalizations: White-tailed deer use a variety of vocalizations, including grunts, snorts, and bleats, to communicate with each other.

   • Body Language: They also communicate through body language, such as the flicking of the tail as an alert signal.

3. Feeding Habits:

   • Selective Grazers: White-tailed deer are selective grazers, feeding on a variety of vegetation including grasses, leaves, and twigs. They are known to adapt their diet to local vegetation and seasonal changes.

4. Reproductive Behavior:

   • Rutting Season: During the rut (breeding season), bucks compete for mates. This involves vocalizations, marking territory with scent glands, and physical displays.

   • Fawning: Female deer give birth to one to three fawns in late spring or early summer. The fawns are born with spots as a form of camouflage.

5. Survival Strategies:

   • Camouflage: Fawns have a spotted coat that provides camouflage, helping them blend into their surroundings and avoid predators.

   • Flight Response: White-tailed deer are known for their excellent sense of hearing and keen sense of smell. Their typical response to perceived threats is to flee.

6. Adaptability:

   • Habitat Adaptation: White-tailed deer are adaptable to various habitats, including forests, fields, and suburban areas. They can adjust their behavior and diet based on the available resources.

7. Migratory Behavior:

   • Seasonal Movements: In some regions, white-tailed deer exhibit seasonal movements, moving to different areas in search of food and suitable habitats.

Overall, the life of a white-tailed deer involves a combination of social interactions, communication, reproductive strategies, and survival skills. Their ability to adapt to different environments and their role in shaping ecosystems make them fascinating and sophisticated creatures in the natural world.

Will humans always be the dominant species on earth? If anthropology and archaeology tell us anything the answer is probably not. When that day comes, and we become the victims of culls by a superior species, the way we treated other inhabitants of this planet may well determine the way we are treated. Our descendants may not think that well of us for determining their fate at the hands of superior beings.

The idea of human dominance on Earth is not necessarily guaranteed to be permanent. While humans currently hold a dominant position in terms of intelligence, technological capability, and the ability to manipulate the environment, the future is uncertain and contingent on various factors. Here are a few considerations:

1. Environmental Changes: The Earth's environment is subject to natural changes, and human activities are contributing to environmental shifts. Climate change, habitat destruction, and other environmental factors could impact the survival and dominance of various species, including humans.

2. Ecological Dynamics: Ecosystems are complex and dynamic, with interconnected relationships between different species. Changes in one species can have cascading effects on others. Shifts in environmental conditions could favor the adaptation and success of other species.

3. Emergence of New Threats: Future challenges, such as the emergence of new diseases, environmental catastrophes, or other unpredictable events, could pose threats to human dominance.

4. Technological Advances: The continued development of technology, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other fields, may have unpredictable consequences. Advanced technologies could either enhance human dominance or introduce new challenges.

5. Space Exploration: As humans explore space, there is the potential to encounter extraterrestrial life or to find environments suitable for colonization. This could influence the concept of dominance within a broader cosmic context.

6. Human Choices and Actions: Human decisions and behaviors play a significant role in shaping the future. Responsible stewardship of the planet, ethical considerations, and the ability to address global challenges collectively will impact the trajectory of human dominance.

It's important to note that the notion of "dominance" is complex and can be interpreted in different ways. Humans have the capacity for both positive and negative impacts on the planet and its ecosystems. The long-term sustainability of human dominance will likely depend on our ability to balance technological progress with ecological responsibility and ethical considerations.

While humans have exerted a profound influence on Earth, the future is uncertain, and various factors will influence the trajectory of life on our planet. The concept of human dominance is not necessarily static, and our actions and choices will shape the course of events in the coming years and centuries.