Change.org 6-5-15… “Call for Moratorium of Helicopter Eradication Program”

Click here: https://www.change.org/p/david-ige-department-of-land-and-natural-resources-call-for-moratorium-of-helicopter-eradication-program

A related video is here: https://youtu.be/gGR22uWHpik

The purpose of this petition is to carry on where the original one left off. (See https://www.change.org/p/call-for-moratorium-on-hawaii-s-wild-sheep-eradication) It is in response to the June 3rd DLNR news release. (http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2015/06/03/nr15-82/)

Some background info: “The Big Island of Hawaii was home to the world’s largest pure-bred mouflon herd, an estimated 22,000 sheep. They were concentrated on 116,000-acre Kahuku Ranch, where Eugene Yap of South- point Safaris offered hunts for these animals. All of that came to an end when the US Park Service purchased the property in July 2003 and added it to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Park Service proceeded to exterminate the mouflon and all other non-indigenous wildlife on the property. They even handed out subsidies to surrounding landowners to encourage the extermination of all exotics on their properties as well. Free-ranging purebred mouflons in Hawaii appeared to be doomed at that point.” (http://www.huntingreport.com/hunting_article_details.cfm?id=2025)

Hunters have asked repeatedly to reconsider the helicopter eradication program and to provide a meaningful hunting program that would ensure true sustainability. So far these efforts have gone unheeded.

Mauna Kea is sacred to many people for many different reasons. The helicopter eradication program does not fit into a model of sacredness and productive harmony. It is considered wanton waste. It is also a painful reminder of the days of the paniolo and ranching, now also disappearing.. that was once, a thriving and sustainable industry of the Big Island. Further mismanagement of the mountain must end.

Here are some additional background links:

Massacre on Mauna Kea: Tony Sylvester presentation (June 8, 2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGR22uWHpik

Mauna Kea sheep eradication protested outside DLNR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10KXYhmjNQg

Hawaii Fencing and Eradication : Conservation and Preservation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0kIizsQiQw

http://www.trueactivist.com/new-zealand-now-recognizes-all-animals-as-sentient-beings/