In this post, I will be writing about rattlesnake roundups and the immense amount of cruelty that is involved with them and why the government in the USA allows this to happen every year in 6 different states. The roundups themselves lead to the mass killings of thousands of rattlesnakes each year, which has a proven effect on the numbers of wild rattlesnakes.
The people responsible for the roundups claim that the roundups are in place to "control the population of rattlesnakes in the wild" as they have an acclaimed effect on their lifestock, a point which is highly refuted by conservationists and herpetologists alike. Furthermore, they claim that the roundups only effect 1% of the rattlesnake population in the wild, contradicting the claim that it "controls the rattlesnake population" as if it only effects 1%, then it is not having that much of an effect.
The eastern rattlesnake is becoming very close to being listed on the endangered list of animals. This is due to many different reasons although the roundups are not helping in this matter. In the future, I can see many more species being added to this list. Even on the endangered list, the law in America still permits 'self-defense' can still be used. This is quite appauling as a rattlesnake does not strike for no reason, it is always out of self-defense and are a very misunderstood animal that just want to be left alone.
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| How can anyone kill an animal needlessly? |
There are some states that claim they do not kill the snakes and release them back into the wild, although there are still reports of animal cruelty from such events. Just because snakes are not conventional pets and are not considered to be 'cute and fluffy', they are demonised by narrow-minded cruel people who only hold these events for the interest of the revenue that it brings along with the tourists that these events attract.
When they physically venture out to capture the rattlesnakes, they usually use gas which they toss down animal burrows in order to flush the snakes out. This has a profound effect on the environment as it can kill other animals, not just the snakes.
The US government lets this happen! Why? I doubt you will find a definitive answer to that, but the roundups bring in a large revenue and I'm sure each state has it's own views on the matter. It seems it is purely driven by financial worth and greed.
In my opinion, the roundups should be banned as they are very cruel, break state laws regarding animal cruelty and have an effect on the natural population of animals. These people claim that the events are "educational" but no education is being enforced, only hatred towards these beautiful reptiles. Additionally, anyone who may become envenomated at these events should not be allowed to receive antivenom but that is my personal opinion. I hope that these states change their ways of thinking of these animals and adopt a more educational and caring approach.
