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Editorial: Guest Editorial: A Native`s Case for Florida Hometown Democracy
October 3rd, 2009

Editorial: Budget of Sugarcreek Goes Modern
October 1st, 2009

Editorial: Is Nothing Sacred?
September 17th, 2009

Editorial: Great Expectations
September 2nd, 2009

Editorial: Helping the Levy County Budget
August 6th, 2009

Editorial: WUFT-FM to Delete Music for Cedar Key
July 28th, 2009

Editorial: Governor Crist Balks on Appointment
July 9th, 2009

Editorial: Affordable Housing in Cedar Key
July 6th, 2009

Editorial: The Greening of Cedar Key
June 25th, 2009

Editorial: Unanimous Consent to Suspend the Rules
June 12th, 2009

Editorial: Cutting the Cost of Garbage Collection
May 27th, 2009

Editorial: America Must Support Chinese Democracy Seekers
March 23rd, 2009

Editorial: Membership Appeal
February 20th, 2009

Editorial: Cutting Health Care Costs
January 10th, 2009

Editorial: 2008 and Some Fearless Predictions
December 30th, 2008

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Endangered Species -- May We Ask Why?

Endangered Species -- May We Ask Why?

Editorial

Rats, cockroaches and Homo sapiens are about the only species that will never be on an endangered species list. That is because (to date) no poison, pesticide or pollutant has been created that can overwhelm the reproductive rates of those three species.

In contrast, just a few miles from Cedar Key a small subpopulation of Florida Scrub Jays teeters between growth and collapse. The Scrub Jay pictured above is a member of that population. Appropriate Scrub Jay habitat is shrinking in Florida, the Jay's only range. Habitat destruction is one cause of species endangerment.

On the other hand, Bald Eagles, California Condors and Brown Pelicans were severely reduced in numbers by man-made poisons. Banning DDT and 1080 has given those species a chance to survive. Buffalo, alligators and egrets were pushed to near extinction by over hunting. Now they have recovered very well. White tail deer, raccoons and many species of birds have adapted to life in suburbs and agricultural systems, thereby enriching the natural environment.

With rare exception, the threatened and endangered species of the world are in trouble because of man's activities. Wise management, judicious pesticide use and protection of crucial habitats can save many otherwise endangered animals from extinction.

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