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A funny thought occurred to me.
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That is, were I an animal, I would not want to be a species whose name begins with "C."
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It seems the animals with C names are those humans most love to hate.
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Examples?
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Canada geese, cats, coyotes and carriage horses.
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(On the latter, one could argue that "carriage" is not the name of an actual animal species as it is really horses that represent both, the species and issue of controversy. But, it is specifically carriage horses who are accused of being "unwitting weapons," "contaminants of Central Park" and "not belonging in the city." Such things are not said about police horses, riding horses or race horses. So it must be the "carriage" attached to their name that causes so much derision and seeming debasement? Could the "C" be bad luck for the horses -- or any animal species? Come to think of it, cougars and coons aren't too popular either with humans.)
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In recent months (and years) there have been endless news articles vilifying the species named above. It appears the "C" animals are favorite targets of both, conventional and social media, "knife and fork clubs" and humans who, for whatever reason, have some gripe with life and seek a convenient animal scapegoat to focus their frustrations on.
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Canada geese are a particular favorite for this -- especially during the warmer months when the geese nest, raise young or choose certain (to them) "safe" locations to go through the molt -- the roughly six week period when the geese cannot fly.
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We are only a couple of weeks into the Canada goose nesting season and already the histrionics are starting, including referring to geese as "thugs" and (get this) "spawns of Satan." One of the below articles is from the Huffington Post -- normally a credible news source:
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One can try to laugh off or rationalize the above pieces as satire and exaggeration, but the tone of both pieces is actually serious. Apparently the geese are more to be feared than rapists, murderers or terrorists put together. In fact, the geese are "terrorists!"
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If it isn't Canada geese being raked over the coals on conventional and social media, the second most popular target these days is the domestic cat. (Yes, those animals we invite into our homes, spend millions of dollars on and assign cutesy names to such as, "Fluffy, Snuggles or Princess.")
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But, in just over a one year period, The New York Times has published at least two negative pieces (one a commentary and the other an article) decrying cats as "evil" relentless killers of birds and other wildlife. In the latter case, the Times practically blames cats exclusively for the endangered status of one bird species (piping plovers).
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Of course, it isn't just the New York Times demonizing cats nor is such "evil" labeling new. It in fact goes back centuries to when cats were commonly associated with "witches," witchcraft and all things diabolical.
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The only difference is in modern times we like to think we are beyond mere superstition and folk lore. We are after all, "scientific."
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So instead of accusing cats of causing all manner of harm, "evil spells" or death to humans, we accuse them now of causing death and threat of extinction to other animals. Same thing, but with different dressing. ("Science" rather than "religious" rationalization.)
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Yes, indeed, we have progressed far from the days of burning "witches and their evil cats" at the stake. Today we call them "crazy cat ladies" and say their "invasive killing machines" should simply be "removed."
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Like cats, coyotes have long been an animal persecuted and relentlessly hated and killed by humans. In fact, one of the primary purposes of USDA Wildlife Services when first formed in 1939 (under the name, "Animal Damage Control") was to eliminate coyotes whenever and wherever possible. But, despite more than a century of trapping, hunting, poisoning, burning and even modern "coyote killing contests," coyotes prevail.
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Give the "C" animal an A for adaptability.
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And finally, the poor, beleaguered carriage horses.
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But, if these animals are truly "poor and beleaguered," it is more for the way they are depicted by those supposedly caring for their "rights" than for any actual persecution or torture being conducted on them.
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I personally don't view carriage horses as "unwitting weapons" on our streets or "contaminants" of Central Park.
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On the contrary, it seems that the animals who helped to create and build New York City deserve special privilege, place, value and welcome here. Carriage horses bring beauty, romance, magnificence and majesty to our park.
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But, perhaps we should change their name to "taxi horses" as the "c" seems truly unfortunate.
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All I know is that were I to magically discover some new species on this planet, I would fight like hell, for the new animal species not to be given any name beginning with a "C."
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Call me superstitious or crazy, but it just seems to be a really bad omen for the animals so tagged. -- At least in human perception and attitude. -- PCA
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