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Editorial: Editorial: Cedar Key News Annual Meeting March 29
March 8th, 2008

Editorial: Let School Board Know What Should Be Taught
February 15th, 2008

Editorial: What Is a Fair Tax?
February 4th, 2008

Editorial: Inconsistent Appraisals Harm Taxpayers
December 17th, 2007

Editorial: Energy Crisis?
November 30th, 2007

Editorial: Florida Water War Heat Up
October 16th, 2007

Editorial: Nobel Prizes in Medicine
October 5th, 2007

Editorial: Editorial: Same Rules for Everyone
September 22nd, 2007

Editorial: Demand Action on Bridge Repair
August 8th, 2007

Editorial: Local Response Needed to Stem Clam Poaching
July 24th, 2007

Editorial: Money, Money, Money...Votes
July 9th, 2007

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June 26th, 2007

Editorial: Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?
June 12th, 2007

Editorial: The Sources of Progress in Medicine
May 30th, 2007

Editorial: A New Era of Politics and Religion
May 17th, 2007

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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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