Richard Leakey and culling of elephants

[Guest guest]

*Dear Edwin,Mr Seelan and Azam, *

* Richard Leakey joins several individuals I

admire but have strong differences with, including Gerald Durrell, Jane

Goodall and Mother Teresa. I grew up reading Gerald Durrell's books and

worked at his zoo in Jersey but realised he was a racist and grew out of the

zoo concept. Jane Goodall I interviewed but I disagree with her on her

stance on special rights for Great Apes at the exclusion of other animals

and differ on her position on spiritualism. Mother Teresa I have met six

times and admire for her humanitarian work but question her religious views

and her support for hard core criminals like Papa Doc Duvalier and Charles

Keating. I have read Richard leakey's autobiography 'Wildlife Wars' and

thought it was an excellent book that read like a thriller. I have quoted it

extensively too. But his latest position on culling has disappointed me. I

am saying this because I realise that most human beings are flawed and are

not saints and I am no saint myself. However, I do not equate success with

fame or celebrity status and feel that it is important to see things

objectively, even when it comes to individuals who have attained iconic

status. Leakey had achieved iconic status for me until I read his latest

position on culling. I respect him still like I respect Durrell, Goodall and

Teresa but am of the opinion that his views on culling are misguided just as

some views of Durrell, Goodall and Teresa are misplaced and

misanthropic. Cheers.*

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