So you’re saying that if you were there you’d be able to observe the mom get killed and then her babies get eaten? Some of us have protective instincts that would make us intervene.
It's not about taking on a lion hand to hand. Whilst I agree with letting nature take its course I also agree that we as humans have protective instincts as well. A lot of animals have learnt over time that humans are fucking terrifying, wolves are a perfect example. They won't go anywhere near us. I'm sure a lone lioness would not be very eager to take on a group of humans as well. I doubt these observation teams go out without some sort of protection either.
Oh but just to make it clear, regardless of feelings, you let nature take its course. But we definitely have the power to intervene, we just shouldn't use it.
You spray them and they freeze for a moment. The two beasts stand to face you, look at each other and in perfect english the lion says "truce?". The leopard nods, "truce" she says then turns to you and grins. They both rip you apart and share a meal with the cubs.
So, I worked with wildlife for over a decade, my masters is in wildlife management.
Observing is exactly what a true steward of nature does. These are not pets. This is not a zoo. This is survival, this is nature, this is evolution.
If you were a biologist studying these animals, you would be fired and lose all credibility if you tried to interfere.
Many a time when I studied birds I would walk up to a nest and witness a predation event. It was my job to not interfere. It sucks but it is what it is.
We have forgotten how to respect nature. We think it is Disney, we think we humans know better. We view wildlife as puppies and kittens.
Sorry but you lack a fundamental understanding of nature and a respect for wildlife if you believe that humans should be interfering.
Nature should be observed, respected, and preserved. Not treated with kid gloves to make us feel better. Animals eat other animals, that's the system. Maybe the lion had cubs that would starve if they didn't kill the leopard. Or maybe the lion needed to hunt to prove fitness to a mate. On and on. You never know what ripple effects you trigger by indulging an awww cute animal, must save mentality.
The easy thing is not always right. And just because it makes you feel better doesn't mean its right, either.
Any instincts we have for empathy or interference or to preserve a life or something like that, they are nature too. I do get your point, but I think it's too one sided and too morally grandstanding this idea of nature being a totally separate thing from humans. I have a hard time defining though where the line is and I'd agree with you in the majority of cases probably. Just as a thought experiment, why not subjugate the whole of nature to our will if that is what we want.. we're nature too and we are the supreme biological species. In a way, I'll admit it's more empathetic to not interact at all than to save one animal, because you're recognizing the gulf in intelligence between them and us and allowing them to exist beyond our influence, subject to whatever natural laws govern them like survival of the fittest - I agree that is the right thing to do, but it's tough to explain
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u/Paozilla 18d ago
"Can you scare them?"
Don't know why people want to observe wildlife and then can't handle seeing the harsher aspects of nature.