tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922954556426967855.post840063726367068741..comments2023-11-16T19:54:37.960-08:00Comments on CraigardCroft: Fox and Hounds (Part 2) Tom Brysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17979099665965088868noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922954556426967855.post-25860507312467800242013-03-05T13:04:43.293-08:002013-03-05T13:04:43.293-08:00Surely the utilitarian argument in favour of fox c...Surely the utilitarian argument in favour of fox control is realistic. It is an attempt to weigh the interests of all involved(including foxes, sheep, Crofters, fox enthusiasts...) and to make the decision which results in the greatest good for the greatest number. Tom Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17979099665965088868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8922954556426967855.post-16779441128243144892013-03-05T12:08:07.226-08:002013-03-05T12:08:07.226-08:00Although I see the points that the author is tryin...Although I see the points that the author is trying to make, you have to be realistic. Functioning eco-systems rely on a predator-prey relationship, populations of all things cycle and when it breaks down, intervention is necessary to maintain a degree of balance. The presence of the red fox and their breeding success is linked to the availability of prey and sufficient habitat to maintain territory. Their success will fluctuate from year to year dependant on the availability of prey and when unnatural food sources are available, this can lead to reliance of the fox in times of hardship onto introduced species such as sheep, geese and chickens - hunger is a sore master. To maintain our economic interests be it farming, crofting, sporting we have to interact with foxes to try and maintain our income and through time, this has lead to a changed landscape and the disappearance of other predators which in turn has influenced the fox. For them not to exist in our current eco-system would be detrimental but for them to reach unnatural numbers would be equally harmful. We should seek to maintain a level where other interests, ground nesting birds, sheep, deer and other animals have an ability to sustain themselves. It is best to look at whole systems rather than one or two animals. Bigger issues lie in the success of the wildcat in this area as it competes with an every increasing population of pinemartins. Ardnamurchan is like like any other part of the Highlands, wild it may be but wilderness it is not and the wise use of natural resources means we have to maintain a balance to maintain our presence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com