Seal Slaughter

[GeorgeK]

As an incomer to Shetland (sooth moother), i have to say that seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean. As the Germans say "Sea Hünds" - "Sea Dogs". I believe we should treat them like dogs, as a pet, like my wife.

[EM]

...seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean.

Most innocent? An interesting proposition. How do you come to such a conclusion? I would have thought that the concept of innocence isn't particularly relevant to natural ecosystems, but if it is, baleen whales would top the list.

 

As the Germans say "Sea Hünds"...

Seehund actually.

[GeorgeK]

...seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean.

Most innocent? An interesting proposition. How do you come to such a conclusion? I would have thought that the concept of innocence isn't particularly relevant to natural ecosystems, but if it is, baleen whales would top the list.

 

As the Germans say "Sea Hünds"...

Seehund actually.

 

Typical.....

[EM]

Typical.....

Typical what?

[GeorgeK]

Typical.....

Typical what?

 

Oh nothing Madam, i just expected someone to have a strong opinion against my own.

[Marooned in Maywick]

EM (why Madam?) doesn't appear to have expressed a strong opinion against yours...simply suggested that aquatic mammals would have no concept of innocence. And that if we are to assign such characteristics to such an ecosystem, the most deserving would be those which cause least harm to other higher order organisms. In my opinion.

[GeorgeK]

Sorry i misunderstood.

[Styumpie]

As an incomer to Shetland (sooth moother), i have to say that seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean. As the Germans say "Sea Hünds" - "Sea Dogs". I believe we should treat them like dogs, as a pet, like my wife.

 

Seals are the most innocent animals in the ocean, and should be treated like dogs? I hear you.. Does your wife prefer Pal or Winnalot?

[Ghostrider]

As an incomer to Shetland (sooth moother), i have to say that seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean. As the Germans say "Sea Hünds" - "Sea Dogs". I believe we should treat them like dogs, as a pet, like my wife.

 

Maybe its just my warped take on life, but I find this a strange post.

 

Dogs, while I find very likable creatures in general (its usually their owners who are responsible for the dislikable ones), are wholly controlled by man. Remove man from the equation and let them run wild breeding at will, and dogs would be considered one of the greatest destructive pests on the face of the earth.

 

Is it not the fact that those who are less them enthusiastic about the "pretty little fluffy seals", are in fact objecting to them being allowed to run wild and breed at will, and, in their opinion, being a destructive pest of the ocean. Rather than any specific persecution of seals just because they are seals and they prefer not to like them.

 

Were seals subject to some for of control, in the same way as dogs are, ie. birth control, culling etc, quite possibly a lot more people could and would view them as a form of "pet".

[GeorgeK]

As an incomer to Shetland (sooth moother), i have to say that seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean. As the Germans say "Sea Hünds" - "Sea Dogs". I believe we should treat them like dogs, as a pet, like my wife.

 

Maybe its just my warped take on life, but I find this a strange post.

 

Dogs, while I find very likable creatures in general (its usually their owners who are responsible for the dislikable ones), are wholly controlled by man. Remove man from the equation and let them run wild breeding at will, and dogs would be considered one of the greatest destructive pests on the face of the earth.

 

Is it not the fact that those who are less them enthusiastic about the "pretty little fluffy seals", are in fact objecting to them being allowed to run wild and breed at will, and, in their opinion, being a destructive pest of the ocean. Rather than any specific persecution of seals just because they are seals and they prefer not to like them.

 

Were seals subject to some for of control, in the same way as dogs are, ie. birth control, culling etc, quite possibly a lot more people could and would view them as a form of "pet".

 

I completely agree, your statements are very true, they are 'a destructive pest of the ocean'

 

Well said

[owre-weel]

As an incomer to Shetland (sooth moother), i have to say that seals are the most innocent mammals in the ocean. As the Germans say "Sea Hünds" - "Sea Dogs". I believe we should treat them like dogs, as a pet, like my wife.

 

Hi GeorgeK, welcome to Shetland and Shetlink.

 

You will probably find that a lot of visitor, tourists and newcommers find seals to be cute and interesting to look at, but you will also find a lot of people who look on them as pests and a nusiance. Hence the reaction to your post. You will find some people are a bit quick to "get the hackles up" on here, but you will also find a lot of posters, who are very helpfull and informative, like Muckle Johnnie, Ghostwriter and many more.

 

Look forward to seeing many more posts.

[GeorgeK]

Owre-weel: Thank you for that. I can completely understand the reason for that. I don't hold any grudges.

[filskadacat]

What was that about mad anthropomorphic misrepresentations of nature...?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-10884574

[paulb]

one mo they are sweet little creatures the next a pest. you seem to bend to others views. they are neither they are just a wild animal that should be treated with respect.