Cormorant killing resumes ––why SHARK isn't there

USDA Wildlife Services gunners.
(SHARK photo)

by Steve Hindi

Today we learned that the cormorant slaughter off East Sand Island, on the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington, has resumed. SHARK successfully documented and exposed the killing last spring. Although we have a “Phase 2” plan for this slaughter, SHARK does not have the money to go forward with this or any other projects. Our field operations are grounded.

“Another damned petition”

The cormorant slaughter is just one example demonstrating that when it comes to front line work, this movement does a lot of complaining, but precious little stepping up. Somebody will start another damned petition which will accomplish absolutely nothing, and some wannabe philosophers will crow about the slaughter, but it is unlikely that anyone will actually put things in gear and take care of business.

SHARK is ready and willing, and we’ve already proven our ability, but we have no money. The money is going to big groups, who are doing nothing. Pitiful. Worse than pitiful.

USDA Wildlife Services team member scoops dead cormorant from the water.
(Taken from Oregon Public Broadcasting video)

“Where are the big donors?”

The killers are not completely to blame here. They are doing what they do. The question is, how does the movement respond? It doesn’t, except for SHARK, and SHARK is out of money. As a result, USDA Wildlife Services will commit its slaughter unchallenged and unrestrained, in secret.

Other than Bob Barker, where are the big donors, and what is their plan of action? Mr. Barker made it possible for SHARK to buy a boat, and hit USDA Wildlife Services (the killing organization slaughtering the birds for the past couple years) very hard. We exposed Wildlife Services like no group did before or since. We took on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Army Corp of Engineers, and the U.S. Coast Guard all at the same time, and we successfully documented and exposed the killing. But Bob Barker can’t be the only one to fuel this effort.

U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat maintains exclusion zone. (SHARK photo)

“Where is HSUS? Where is PETA?”

The responsibility for the cormorant slaughter from this point forward is on this movement. It bears at least equal responsibility with the killers, perhaps more for its inaction. Where is the Humane Society of the U.S.? Where is PETA? And where are all the other groups that bring in millions every year, every month, or even every week?

Steve Hindi. (Beth Clifton photo)

SHARK has already shown the way, and we could do it again, bigger and better, but for lack of funds. Will anyone else step up? Highly unlikely. Too many galas and conferences and parties to attend.

What an appallingly flacid, impotent excuse for a movement. The grassroots groups that would do something can’t, and the big groups that have all the resources won’t.

Nonhumans deserve so much better.

SHARK (SHowing Animals Respect & Kindness

PO Box 28

Geneva, IL 60134

630-557-0176

www.sharkonline.org