148 
CONSERVATION 
There is growing concern throughout the world that the accelerating 
demands of the exploding human population for space and resources will 
exterminate a large proportion of the once common natural forms of life. 
There are some who feel that these forms are worth preserving because they 
have not yet been studied fully and because future generations may deeply 
regret the loss of such diversity of life. 
Reptiles and amphibians have long engendered fear and repulsion in the 
minds of many people. Because of this they are often killed on sight. Our 
large harmless snakes, in particular, have suffered a decrease in numbers 
through this attitude. In many areas, however, they have survived because 
enough people felt either that their rodent killing abilities justified their 
existence or simply that since they were harmless there seemed no point in 
exterminating them for purely emotional reasons. Some have gone further 
philosophically, realizing that each species has its unique and interesting 
adaptations for survival which in themselves justify its existence. 
However, at this period in history a greater danger threatens species 
survival than the loss of individuals. The habitats to which these animals 
are adapted are being destroyed. Swamps and marshes are being drained, 
forests cleared, and rivers polluted. This is not a new phenomenon — it has 
occurred on various scales throughout the history of man. However, man is 
now utilizing more and more of the land, and the scale on which the destruc- 
tion of the original landscape is being carried on is increasing. Unless some 
areas are set aside in each region and vigorously protected against exploita- 
tion, many species will vanish. 
When collecting specimens, it is important to realize that both numbers 
and suitable habitat are being constantly reduced. If the habitat is still 
plentiful, a sufficient number of specimens — even several hundred of abundant 
species — may be collected, if needed, without endangering the survival of a 
species. However, such numbers of specimens should only be collected when 
care can be taken in preserving them and when they are to be placed in a 
permanent study collection. Such collections may even be necessary in 
order to understand enough about a given species to provide a scientific basis 
for measures to conserve it, and they do not conflict with the aims of con- 
servation, Obviously, only small collections should be taken of a rare 
species in a restricted habitat, and no specimens should be collected unless 
such a collection serves a useful purpose. As noted under the section on 
cover, the collector should try, as far as possible, to leave his collecting sites 
in much the same condition as he found them. 
Specimens should generally not be collected in one area and released in 
another. Such irresponsible introductions rarely survive, but when they do, 
introduced individuals may contribute characters from another population 
to the one into which they are released and may obscure a significantly unique 
feature of that population. If an introduced specie's survives, it may obscure 
the zoogeography of a whole region. If introductions, accidental or inten- 
tional, are made, a museum should be informed so that there will be a 
permanent record of them. 
In Canada, the Canadian Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Society is 
concerned with all aspects of conservation and humane treatment of reptiles 
and amphibians and in promoting a better understanding of their unique 
place in the natural world. Anyone interested in more information and in 
