I yesterday reported, and commented upon, a news story about a brown bear that apparently was first pursued for several hours by two border guard boats and one helicopter, and then finally shot.
Finland’s Border Guard have today issued their own statement regarding that event. They emphasize that the police was in charge of the operation, and that the coast guard only assisted the police with transportation.
According to the Border Guard, the initial aim of the operation was to usher the bear away from human settlement. After a coast guard boat lost track of the bear, the helicopter was called out so as to search for the animal. Also, after the bear was found, it was shot by a hunter the police had selected, not by the border guard.
The border guard communiqué does not explain why it was necessary to disturb a bear sleeping on a rock some 1,3 km offshore. An even larger question mark is that of why the operation wasn’t considered successful after the bear had made it off. Starting a helicopter hunt at that point would appear to indicate a resolution to get that bear skin, no matter what.
Meanwhile, the Finnish Broadcasting Company reports that Mikael Kilpi, university lecturer in zoology, has lodged a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland. According to the news item, Dr. Kilpi considers the authorities to have caused the bear unnecessary suffering through chasing it by boat and by helicopter.
Maybe you have had the pleasure of a helicopter hovering close overhead. Consider the blasting noise and air flow, and then imagine how stressful that situation must be for an animal being hunted.
External links:
Post a Comment