Much has obviously changed since last writing; the main change being that I moved last year from Upper East Side, Manhattan to Cortland, New York -- a small, 1950's type city in the central part of the state. (More about that in a later entry.)
But by far, the biggest changes have been in New York City itself.
And sadly, they are not positive changes.
One of those changes has been the deaths of more than 300 Central Park raccoons over the past year. Park officials attribute the high mortalities to a Distemper outbreak.
But it's hard to imagine any disease spreading entirely across an 843 acre park and wiping out virtually 100% of a population. Raccoons generally don't move far from their home territories.
Unfortunately, there has been so little public information regarding the raccoon deaths and so few reported raccoon sightings that it's hard to speculate exactly what killed them apart from just taking at face value, what park officials claim.
But considering all the half baked truths, wild exaggerations and outright lies told in the past (Remember the 363 Prospect Park molting geese and goslings that "flew to a nearby cemetery" in 2010? They had actually been captured by USDA "Wildlife Services" and gassed.) let's just say I am skeptical.
Unfortunately, I am no longer in New York City to photograph, document and keep tabs on what is happening there and therefore, like everyone else, have to go by what is reported in the press (which isn't much) regarding the vanishing raccoons of Central Park.
I just have one lingering question on this matter:
Are there any raccoons left at all?
Another change and disturbing mystery concerning wildlife in Central Park were the deaths of 8 of 9 goslings last summer at the Reservoir.
Both, Hansel and Greta and John and Mary produced healthy goslings at the Reservoir, but between four and five weeks old, all but one gosling perished.
At first it was hard to figure what could account for such an abnormally high mortality among otherwise healthy goslings. There are not many predators around the Reservoir and both sets of parents were highly experienced and protective.
However, one major change had occurred around the Reservoir in the preceding months:
That was the complete destruction and removal of all existing foliage and plant life surrounding the Reservoir.
In short, the developing goslings had virtually nothing to eat!
They apparently starved to death before they could develop wings and flying skills to depart with their parents, what had been turned into a virtual wasteland.
Apparently, it is the objective of NYC parks to not only kill and harass Canada geese and destroy eggs, but also to starve out any goslings that manage to hatch.
And if we needed further "proof" of such allegation, consider the "No Feeding of Any Park Wildlife" proposal that Mayor deBlasio and New York City Parks are now trying to push into law:
http://www.washingtonsquareparkblog.com/2019/03/18/rally-to-prevent-criminalization-feeding-wildlife-nyc-parks-department/
As described in article, there was a public hearing a couple of weeks ago, there have been petitions and even a rally opposing this cruel and feckless proposal. But despite clear public opposition, the mayor's backing alone is a strong signal it will pass.
Imagine "arresting" elderly people with walkers or small children for feeding ducks or squirrels in NYC parks?
Though one of the contributing reasons for leaving New York City a little more than a year ago, was its (to me) heartless and unwelcoming attitude towards wildlife in general and Canada geese in particular, I never imagined it would degenerate into the wildlife hell it has become in so short a time!
I can't say I have spent even one day missing New York City.
As the saying goes, "Good riddance to bad rubbish."
I just feel sorry for the animals still trapped in New York City parks whom the mayor and park officials now seek to starve out of existence.
Silent Spring indeed. -- PCA
No comments:
Post a Comment