562 



Both full species and subspecies are treated in the Bureau's Red Book and 

 lUCN's Red Data Books. The use of subspecies makes it possible to focus atten- 

 tion on endangered ix>pulations of species which, as a whole, are in g<KKl con- 

 dition. lUCN also bases its use of subspecies on the rationale that "For reasons 

 of national pride there is often a better chance that a government will take 

 resiwnsibility for effective action to safeguard a race known to be more or less 

 restricted to its own country than interest itself in a species which occurs over a 

 wide region." 



Regardless of reason, splitting species into subspecies tends to be confusing. 

 Describing the eastern timber wolf of the North Central States, southern bald 

 eagle, and Florida panther as endangered, although other populations of wolves, 

 eagles, and cougars are in satisfactory condition, has resulted in the widespread 

 misconception that all wolves, eagles, and mountain lions are endangered. 



Sometimes there is disagreement among taxonomists about the validity of the 

 subspeciation or even speciation. Authorities disagree on whether some of the 

 lemurs and monkeys included in lUCN's Red Data Books are valid subspecies. 

 Some authorities believe there are 14 subspecies of leopard {Panthera pardus), 

 others say 30, and at least one believes there are no real subspecies but some 

 geographic variation. Disputes between "splitters" and "lumpers" are familiar 

 to biologists, but diflScult to explain to laymen. 



The 1969 act does not authorize the banning of species or subspecies which are 

 abundant in order to prevent the importation of similar endangered forms. As a 

 matter of practicality, in order to prevent the importation of endangered spe- 

 cies : either the endangered form must be readily distinguishable from non- 

 endangered relatives or it must be geographically isolated so that animals from 

 a certain geographic area can be embargoed. 



There is a widespread belief fostered by publicity and fund raising campaigns 

 and furthered by advertisements for fake furs that all spotted cats and innu- 

 merable other species are endangered by the culprits, the insatiable demand of 

 hunters for trophies, the desire of wealthy women for coats made of furs of wild 

 animals, the novelty of exotic pets or fish, the need of laboratories for research 

 animals. The popular press has tended to portray overharvest (mostly by and for 

 Americans) as the principal enemy of wildlife survival throughout the world. 



The reasons for the decline of most endangered species are far more complex. 

 The real villains in the battle for survival of most wildlife are expanding human 

 populations and accompanying loss and degradation of habitat. 



In the United States, we faced somewhat similar problems in preserving our 

 wildlife. No matter how much we now deplore the slaughter during the 1800's. 

 ranchers and farmers of the high plains would not tolerate hison, in their original 

 numbers, roaming across Western States. Likewise, a villager who measures his 

 wealth in terms of cattle and goats, or who depends for survival on a few acres 

 of barley or millet is unlikely to be sympathetic to sentimental pleas to preserve 

 animals "which raid his herds, destroy his fields, or present a real or fancied 

 threat to his family's safety. In essence, when idealists who oppose any use of 

 wildlife expect the people of developing lands to encourage the presence of large 

 animals in their midst, while deriving no benefit from their presence through 

 either sale of hunting privileges, meat or skins, they are expecting them to put 

 up with a way of life which we have rejected. 



Trophy hunting and the demands of fashion are not factors in the plight of 

 most species. Replies have not been received from many of the organizations 

 being consulted about the status of foreign wildlife, but lUCN's Red Data Book 

 on mammals provides a basis for considering the status of African species or 

 subspecies. Of the five subspecies of leopard {Panthera pardus) on which data 

 are included, the Barbary leopard is from North Africa and the others are from 

 Arabia and the Middle East. Hides are rarely imported from these countries. 

 Many people believe that African cheetahs are endangered, but available evi- 

 dence does not bear this out. More than half of the African mammals included 

 in the Red Data Books are of no interest to furriers or .sportsmen ; almost all the 

 remainder are found in the semi-desert regions of North Africa where Americans 



rarely hunt. , , - • i 



The leaders of new nations have often remarked that the needs of animals 

 must come second to the needs of man. If there is to be supT>ort for preserving 

 animals outside oark.s— if game is not to l>e replaced with livestock— then the 

 products of wildlife must have a financial value. Tourism provides much revenue 

 for African countries, but tourism alone cannot justify a widespread wild animal 

 population. A relatively small number of animals confined to parks can satisfy 



