Advertisement
Letters | Brutal killing of Indian endangered dolphin an inhumane act
Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
I am writing in response to your report, “Three arrested in India for beating endangered dolphin to death with an axe” (January 9) .What the three men did is unforgivable.
Humans should stop disturbing wildlife in their habitat and learn to be respectful to all life forms. The motive of the three perpetrators in the northern Indian state remained unclear. Did they brutalise the helpless animal with sticks and rods, and even an axe, for entertainment, or for social media fame? Nevertheless, neither of these assumptions can be an excuse for this insanely cruel act.
Perhaps they were not aware of the importance of protecting the endangered species, of which less than 2,000 are left in the wild. The government of India declared it the national aquatic animal in 2009. It is ironic that this crime was committed just a few months after India launched Project Dolphin, aiming to conserve and protect all dolphins and their aquatic habitat, and boost biodiversity. Therefore, the local government should put more effort into public education and monitoring compliance with the law.
Advertisement
But lack of information does not absolve the trio of the crime of unspeakable violence against a defenceless being that had strayed into a canal. It is hoped that the punishment for these three men will act as a deterrent to others.
01:53
One million plants and animals on brink of extinction, threatening economies and livelihoods across the world
One million plants and animals on brink of extinction, threatening economies and livelihoods across the world
As for the rest of us, we are also capable of helping endangered animals no matter where we are. Apart from donating money to charity, we can help by changing our lifestyle, such as reducing our use of plastic, so much of which ends up in marine environments and harms the ecosystem or even endangers animal life. It is our duty to reduce pollution and protect the natural habitat for wild animals.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x