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The shooting of a leopard

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thatbags Thu 01-Jan-15 13:59:55

Link is to a tweet that contains a link to a news item. The tweet suggests the animal may have been the last of the species alive. If the species is now extinct because of this shooting (apparently in self defence), that is a pity. However, if this was indeed the last animal of its kind in existence and if this particular animal was not pregnant, then, essentially (i.e. at the end of this animal's life, whatever the circumstances of its death), the species was extinct already so all the shepherd's action in shooting it has done is bring the moment of its death forward, in which case he can hardly be blamed for the fact of this species' extinction.

In other words, I object to the underlying 'blame' that is present in the tweet.

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NfkDumpling Thu 01-Jan-15 14:10:55

Am I reading this wrongly? Scientists want to set up a conservation zone for the leopard after the last one is dead?

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thatbags Thu 01-Jan-15 14:13:18

No you're not reading it wrong, nfk. That's what made me question the apparent assumption in the tweet.

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Ana Thu 01-Jan-15 14:23:09

The web article gives no indication that this leopard was the only one left. The shepherds were charged with shooting an endangered animal. Tweeter exaggeration for max effect, I suspect.

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Elegran Thu 01-Jan-15 14:43:51

Anatolian leopard It seems to be rare but it is not claimed that the one that was shot (a year ago) was the last. It sounds as though there is very little difference between the Anatolian leopard and other west- and central Asian leopards, and some think it should be included as a subspecies of the Persian leopard.

They shot something that was threatening their flock - that is not like a hunter going out looking for one as a trophy.

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