I found it completely in bad taste that a picture of a stuffed polar bear by photographer James Murray that was on display at the annual Fish and Game Club banquet was put in the Observer last week (page A36). Speaking for myself – dead animals are not what all the people want to see, especially ones that are threatened, listed as “vulnerable” and on the “Species at Risk List.” Not all people support the slaughter of our Canadian wildlife, let alone the celebration of it at an annual banquet. Please keep this private for members only.
I would like to remind people that the polar bear in Canada is under a great deal of hardship just to survive. The federal government gave notice in 2011 that the polar bear is on the Species at Risk list. Their status remains “vulnerable” and at serious risk due to shrinking sea ice and thought to be caused by climate change and hunting, which the Canadian government still charges $35,000 for a hunting licence for an adult male in prime like the one pictured – despite its ‘vulnerability.’
This picture is a clear reminder that hunting is still a serious threat and I don’t appreciate having it thrown in my face through the local paper. Let this remind us all that wildlife is vulnerable and celebrating this publicly is unacceptable. And the celebration of it should be private, if this is what members wish to do.
Please, in the future, keep the controversial subject of hunting to yourself – not everyone wants to hear about it or see the dead, stuffed ones. Thank you for your consideration of all people in this community – especially the ones that want our wildlife in this country to be shot with cameras.
Joyce Adams