Nick McKim MR
Mr McKim said that even if a Tasmanian Tiger was successfully re-created, it would have a minimal chance of survival in the wild in Tasmania due to habitat loss, competition from feral species, and the widespread use of poisons such as 1080.
RECREATION OF TASSIE TIGER DNA MAY HAVE SUSTAINABILITY RAMIFICATIONS
Research Should Be Targeted at Saving Tasmanian Devil
Nick McKim MP
Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Environment
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
www.tas.greens.org.au
THE Tasmanian Greens today expressed concern that the successful re-activation of the DNA of a Tasmanian Tiger may have ramifications for the survival of currently threatened species and the protection of crucial habitat.
Tasmanian Greens Shadow Environment spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that while he supports scientific research on DNA, he would prefer to see such techniques used to assist in the survival of currently threatened species such as the Tasmanian Devil.
“We have enough trouble protecting currently threatened species and crucial habitat already, without people thinking that we can continue to destroy biodiversity because extinction is not permanent.”
“Biodiversity loss will be part of the next wave of sustainability crises following climate change, and it would be disastrous if this development lead to a paradigm that we can continue to destroy our environment without facing the consequences of our actions.”
“I would prefer to see research such as this targeted at saving the Tasmanian Devil by working to better understand the DNA of animals which are demonstrating immunity to DFTD.”
Mr McKim said that even if a Tasmanian Tiger was successfully re-created, it would have a minimal chance of survival in the wild in Tasmania due to habitat loss, competition from feral species, and the widespread use of poisons such as 1080.
