WELL HERES A SUBJECT THATS SURELY GONNA RATTLE A FEW CAGES AND UPSET A FEW PEOPLE. WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE USE I HEAR YOU CRY, WELL SUSTAINABLE USE FOR PROFIT IS BASICALLY THE CONCEPT OF FARMING ANIMALS FOR THEIR ECONOMICAL QUALITIES THAT BEING EITHER CROCODILES FOR HANDBAGS OR BELTS, MINK FOR THEIR FURS AND SO ON. THERE IS A HUGE MARKET AROUND THE WORLD FOR THESE KINDS OF HORRID ITEMS AND, WELL, IN MY OPINION WHO EVER PURCHASES ITEMS MANUFACTURED FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF AN ANIMAL HAS TO BE PRETTY NAIVE TO THE CAUSE OR JUST DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE WORLDS WILDLIFE.

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW SO CALLED "WILDLIFE FRIENDLY" INDIVIDUALS THAT SUPPORT THE NOTION OF FARMING ANIMALS FOR THEIR ECONOMIC QUALITY USING THE GUISE THAT THEY ARE HELPING THE WILDLIFE IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE. THESE SO CALLED "SCIENTISTS" FUELED BY THE MIGHTY DOLLAR SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE USE FOR PROFIT PURELY FOR THE FACT THAT IT KEEPS THE MONEY ROLLING IN FOR THEM.
THE CRAZY THING ABOUT PROFIT FARMING IS THE WAY IN WHICH CERTAIN PARTIES TURN THEIR HORRID IDEALS INTO AN ATTRACTION FOR THE PUBLIC, SAYING THAT THEY ARE PASSING ON THE SO CALLED MESSAGE OF CONSERVATION WHEN INFACT ALL THEY ARE DOING IS KEEPING THEIR POCKETS FULL OF THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.

THE FARMING OF APEX PREDATORS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE WORST CRIMES THAT COULD EVER BE COMMITTED TO THIS PLANETS WILDLIFE. HOW CAN SOMEONE JUSTIFY CREATING A FARM OF CROCODILES OR TIGERS?? THESE CREATURES DESERVE THE FREEDOM THAT THEY AND THEIR MANY ANCESTORS BEFORE THEM WERE BORN WITH. ITS JUST NOT VIABLE TO FARM APEX PREDATORS PURELY FOR THEIR ECONOMIC VALUE. THEY DESERVE THE FREEDOM AND RESPECT THAT WE GIVE EACH OTHER AS HUMANS. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SUSTAINABLE USE OF HUMANS. JUST THROW US IN A CONCRETE PIT AND LEAVE US TO GO STIR CRAZY IN SOLITUDE AWAITING OUR DEATH, PRAYING FOR OUR DEATH. YOU COULD ONLY GUESS BUT I BET THATS HOW THE ANIMALS FEEL WHEN THEY ARE FARMED.

ANYWAY THE ULTIMATE ANSWER WOULD BE TO STOP THE SUSTAINABLE USE FOR PROFIT NOTION AND IF EVERYONE BANDS TOGETHER THEN MAYBE THAT ULTIMATE GOAL COULD BE ACHIEVED. IN THE MEAN TIME, JUST REMEMBER, NEVER TO BUY ANY PRODUCT THAT IN ITS PRODUCTION HARMED AN ANIMAL OR WAS CREATED BY KILLING ANIMALS. ALWAYS QUESTION THE LEGITIMACY OF RESEARCH THAT HARMS ANIMALS IN ANY WAY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. AND JUST REMEMBER THAT THESE ANIMALS ARE PART OF OUR ECOSYSTEM AND THEY DESERVE THE FREEDOM AND THE RESPECT OF EVERY PERSON ON THIS PLANET.

FROM MICHELLE H.

The atrocity of the guise of sustainable use of crocodiles, or of any apex predator,as a means of conservation evokes such emotion in me that it is difficult for me to know where to begin. This is a multifaceted outrage. First, to claim that the slaughtering of these complex social creatures is in anyway a means of conserving them is insane! By providing for such a market to exist (and be acceptable) is also going to increase the demand for the animals. With an increase in demand will come an increase of suppliers. Both the number farmers and poachers will increase. As a result the number of animals being slaughtered increases. Secondly, and most importantly, by thinking and training our children to think that because there is an abundance of life within a breeding facility it is OK to murder and to abuse these animals is the greatest sin of all. Until we put value and worth on God's LIVING creatures, this type of arrogant self superior greed will not end. If the line cannot even begin to be drawn at apex predators, the top of the food chain, then all species are vulnerable to this twisted reasoning. Which species will be next?

FROM JOAN H

I am so completely disgusted by the claims that these types of farms are helpful to the animals and environment. I think it's bad enough to have most animals in zoos (I will say that zoos that have exhibits that allow the animals the most natural environment possible are the exception) but to call these "farms" helpful is a lie. It is about $$$$$ and that's it.

Lest anyone gets upset by my comment on zoos....like I said, zoos creating exhibits that replicate the environment from which the animals come are excellent examples of what zoos should be like! If every zoo put the time and money into creating exhibits that were realistic, the animals would be more likely to thrive and to reproduce. There are many wonderful places that have accomplished this But, until we can get all zoos on board animals will suffer. It's the grim reality of the situation, unfortunately. Sometimes, though, it's a better alternative to the death and/or extinction of an animal. We can't have it all, no matter how hard we try. Someday, maybe. But, we all have to support the zoos in our areas and get involved in raising awareness for natural habitational exhibits. Tell your local zoo! Demand better conditions.

( EDITORS COMMENTS)

I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR EVERYONE WHEN I SAY THAT AUSTRALIA ZOO IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE WAY A ZOO SHOULD BE OPERATED. THE ANIMAL HABITATS ARE ABOUT AS NATURAL AS YOU CAN GET. WELL DONE STEVE AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP AUSTRALIA ZOO UP AND RUNNING.

FROM DEB.

I was appalled when I learned how these Croc farms breed and raise crocs, in concrete pens, for the sole purpose of "processing" them for their meat and skins,for handbags and such. And they have the gall to call this conservation. And what really disgusts me is that people actually pay admission to visit these places. These animals need to be left in the wild to reproduce and thrive as God created them. We need to work towards protecting their habitat, to insure their survival, instead of marketing them as a commodity.

FROM TERESA Z.

I think this whole idea about sustainable use is atrocious!! It absolutely sickens me that people actually think this is a "good" idea. If we are ever going to be able to be a civilized society. we are going to HAVE to learn to live in harmony with ALL God's creatures. I am appalled that anyone would want to purchase a trinket, bag, belt, anything that was at one time a living, breathing product of Gods work. There are enough man-made products around to satisfy the hunger for the finer things in life. There is absolutely NO reason to raise living animals for the sole purpose of providing someone with the latest style or fashion statement. I feel if there are going to be zoos, then they should be there for the education of people to help them undestand wildlife and learn how they can live alongside these precious creatures, instead of just using them for amusement or products. Australia Zoo appears to be a prime example of the good a zoo can do in educating the public, and more zoos should follow suit.