To Cull or Not To Cull

 

I read this today…

“Denmark is killing its large mink population after discovering a coronavirus mutation that can spread to humans, the nation’s government said Wednesday.

The country, which is the world’s largest supplier of mink fur, will cull as many as 17 million animals in an effort to stop the spread.”

 

In biology, culling is the process of segregating organisms from a group according to desired or undesired characteristics.

In animal breeding, it is the process of removing or segregating animals from a breeding stock based on specific trait. 

 

I am no farmer but I’ve heard of “Bird Flu” and “Mad Cow Disease”. Still there are Chicken Nuggets and Big Macs.

Literally, to separate or remove (and usually kill) inferior animals out of a herd so as to reduce numbers or remove undesirable traits from the group as a whole.

“... We had to quickly cull the herd when it came to light that some cows might be carrying an infectious disease.”

 

It can also be called segregation.

Racial segregation is the systematic separation of people into racial or other ethnic groups in daily life. Racial segregation can amount to the international crime of apartheid and a crime against humanity under the Statute of the International Criminal Court

 

 

To cull animals means to kill the weaker animals in a group in order to reduce their numbers. ...

 

As long as it is done humanely and in a manner which is legally allowed (most areas will have laws stopping you from culling animals unless you are a licensed vet or a slaughterer, or stopping you from culling them using methods that are considered cruel)

 

17 million animals murdered on speculative science. Will this virus mutate to infect other animals?

 

Culling can be accomplished in several ways.

Large flocks may be hunted, poisoned, or trapped in different ways, and the birds will be killed in large numbers. A cull could be subtler during nesting season when eggs are deliberately damaged to prevent excessive population growth.

 

I personally only know minks from the coats, but I’ve lived with ferrets and they are an interesting innovative species.

 

It does not necessarily mean to kill, although at one time many breeders did cull their litters by killing unwanted puppies. All responsible breeders cull individuals from every single litter. Breeders sell dogs with more than just a few minor faults as pet quality on a spay/neuter contract with limited registration.

 

Keeping the breed pure?

 

Many pet owners choose to have their pets cremated or buried after the pet is euthanized, and there are pet funeral homes that specialize in animal burial or cremation.

Otherwise, the animal facility will often freeze the body and subsequently send it to the local landfill.

 

 

After a summer of social disturbance, one wonders. Hands up! Don’t shoot!

 

 

History has proven the human species doesn’t mind culling others.