Mr. Editor,
I am writing this OPEN LETTER to the Ministry of Agriculture/Forest Rangers.
I heard on ZJB Radio that the Forest Rangers will be going into various parts of the Exclusion Zone to Hunt/Shoot wild roaming livestock e.g.:- Cows; Pigs; Sheep and Goats.
My Question to them, is how many animals were slaughtered?
What did they do with said animals after killing them?
Did they bring these animals carcases out of the exclusion zone and given either to the butchers OR the Hospital OR the Senior Homes OR General Public? IF NOT? WHY NOT?
World wide, it is recommended to eat organic meat, and here on island we have the possibility to get TRULY ORGANIC meat, from these wild animals.
Now the only local persons that have been arrested for entering the exclusion zone are hunters, trying to make a living from hunting with their dogs. They applied as a group for a license/permit to enter the zone to hunt but were denied.
I understand that when the hunters/sharpshooters that came to Montserrat last year, to train the Forest rangers, to use high powered, scoped rifles, that in one week they shot over 300 pigs, plus many cattle and goats, and left them to rot where they fell.
This is not right.. A SIN.. a total waste of good meat, while the general public are living under hard times !
The Forest Rangers could have SOLD the meat at even $1.00 per pound, to cover their expenses.
After all they are paid by the day, if necessary the Government could purchase some ATV`s. with a winch to extract the animals out of tight or rough terrain. Waste Not Want Not.
We are building an abattoir, the Forestry Dept. is in possession of tranquilizer guns, which will NOT kill the animals, and when they fall down, they could be tied and brought out of the exclusion zone alive and auctioned to the public, gaining much needed funds for the Agriculture Dept.
Another thing, is the fact, ORIGINALLY the plan was to protect our water courses and springs, from erosion and endangering our water sources, from the animal feces and contamination.
There are NO rivers or Springs in the South of the island, neither in Plymouth or Fox`s Bay or Trant`s and Long Ground, so why shoot the animals there? Leave that area for the Hunters to make a living and past time.
Yes. They can and should protect Killikranki; Lawyers; Nance River, etc. Springs. MUL. Water division has already fenced these springs, so the rangers could cull the animals in very close proximity to these springs.
Let us be more conscious of wastage of good meat, and at the same time feed our people.
The above is my personal view, I am calling it as I see it. Some may contradict my way of thinking.
I Thank You.
Capt. John
