Anyone who has seen the documentary film “Winged Migration” understands the wondrous, often perilous, paths traveled by the world’s birds every year.
Because their journeys span the borders of nations and even continents, migratory birds have been protected by international law since the United States and Great Britain (for Canada) signed a landmark conservation treaty in 1916. Three other treaties followed, with Mexico, Japan, and the Soviet Union.
Then why are some of the world’s largest environmental organizations now trying to exterminate 94 bird species from America? The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Defense and others are backing a dangerous bill, the “Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act of 2004” (H.R. 4114 and S. 2547), in the U.S. Congress.
Introduced by Maryland Congressman Wayne Gilchrest and Ohio Senator George Voinovich, the bill would remove all “non-native” migratory birds from the protected list. At the time of press, it has passed both the House Resources Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and is being rushed through Congress.
The legislation could have far-reaching consequences for dozens of bird species that have been documented in the U.S., including certain species of pelicans, cranes, storks, swans, cardinals, and orioles. Some environmental groups and members of Congress apparently believe that “non-native” animals don’t deserve to live.
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