76 



I think, Mr. Chairman, the oommittee will hear probably consider- 

 aJble testimony about the metliods employed to take these mammals, 

 and we would like to go on record as saying that if iuiy method used 

 is inhumane, we would cei'tainly seek to develop, through tlie proper 

 research and investigation, the most himiane methods of harvesting 

 the surplus. 



I know that the record will clearly show that the National Wildlife 

 Federation has always vigorously supported legislation designed tx) 

 completely protect rare and endangered species. 



There are many of them iii the marine mammal categoi-y. 



Also, the federation endorses the existing legislation that provides 

 Federal protection to certain species of birds, but again, the decisions 

 that led to this legislation were made on a scientiiioally somid manage- 

 ment basis. 



That is why, Mr. Chairman, we support H.K. 10420, and while the 

 bill contains at least, in our judgment, some deficiencies, it embraces 

 the concept of resource management and sustained yield which is so 

 critical to tliis issue. 



In that connection, Mr. Chairman, we have made several sug- 

 gestions. I would be happy to come back and go over these in detail 

 if you would care to, or utilize the time in acknowledging or answer- 

 ing any questions concerning our specific recommendations to this 

 particular bill. 



Thank you. 



Mr. DiNGELL. The Chair will observe that I have noted with care 

 the suggestions you made which appear in your excellent statement 

 and that the Chair is going to direct the staff to consider these in 

 the markup of any legislation. 



Mr. Kimball. Fine. In conclusion, we would point out, Mr. Chair- 

 man, that the greatest danger to wildlife in the world today is that the 

 opposition to huntmg or commercial harvesting of surplus animals 

 will be erroneously interpreted and accepted by the uninformed as 

 conservation. 



As long as hunting and harvesting is conducted on a sound biologi- 

 cal basis, "killing," as deplorable as it is to some, is not a conservation 

 issue. 



It is a philosophical issue or a moral question that each person must 

 decide for himself, and the federation respects all of these philosophi- 

 cal viewpoints of the individuals, whatever they may be, as most cer- 

 tainly no one would be able to change them. 



While sincere people on both sides of the philosophical question of 

 to hunt or not to himt, or to harvest surplus or to provide total protec- 

 tion are preoccupied with quarreling over the moral issues involved, 

 wildlife's real enemies — greed, avarice, enviroimiental degradation, 

 and the loss of suitable habitat will continue to accelerate. 



The National Wildlife Federation is supported by representatives 

 of both of these groups, both the hunter and the protectionist alike, 

 and we hope these wildlife enthusiasts of different philosophical per- 

 suasions will unite in the continuing fight to conserve and enlarge the 

 wildlife habitat and to preserve the natural environmental while re- 

 specting each other's rights to moral judgments. 



Thank you again, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. DiNGELL. Mr. Kimball, the Chair wishes to commend you for a 

 very helpful and enlightening and valuable statement. 



