’ CHAPTER. III 
THE EXTERMINATION OF WILD LIFE 
One of the saddest features of the history of the wild 
life during recent times has been the disappearance, that 
is, the extermination of a number of animals that were 
formerly abundant. And this has taken place during a 
period in our history when our attitude towards such mat- 
ters has been gradually changing for the better. 
The pity of it all lies in the fact that once an animal be- 
comes exterminated it cannot be replaced; it has gone for- 
ever. Many of our resources may be lost for a time, but 
they can be regained. Forests may be cut down or burnt, 
but reafforestation is possible; towns may be destroyed by 
fire, but better ones can rise from the ashes. It is not so 
with our mammals and birds. Creatures that have existed 
long before the advent of man disappear as a result of his 
recklessness, and we are the poorer for their loss. 
Nowhere is our fauna so rich where man has established 
himself to any great extent that we can afford to permit the 
complete disappearance of animals. Even the total destruc- 
tion of our worst predatory animals would be an unfortunate 
loss. In order, therefore, to understand thoroughly the 
principles that are involved in the conservation of our wild 
life, we must appreciate the causes responsible for its dis- 
appearance, and realize the extent to which species have 
become extinct and are becoming exterminated. 
Main Causes of Extermination.—Broadly speaking, the 
causes of extermination may be divided into two classes: 
unavoidable and avoidable. To a very large extent the 
extermination, at least the reduction to a point bordering 
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