Protecting marine mammals, wildlife is essential
In his rebuttal to my letter about demoic acid poisoning and sea lions (“The bait and switch ‘sea lion’ letter,” Feb. 5), Melvin De La Motte criticized me for not citing scientific proof of human involvement. Briefly, scientists have found that climate change, eutrophication of fertilizers, agricultural and urban runoff, and coastal development are likely causes of demoic acid.
At the Marine Mammal Center, veterinary scientists are finding causes and cures that will affect other species, including human beings and their pets. Harbor seals, elephant seals, fur seals, otters and dolphins are also being rescued, treated and being analyzed. Whales have been untangled or redirected back to sea after venturing up rivers.
Mr. De La Motte complains of wasting millions of dollars on treating sea lions, but they are not his tax dollars. The Marine Mammal Center and other organizations are funded by private donors who are not so callous to “let nature take its course” and who care deeply about preserving our oceans and marine life.
As for the bait and switch, when I mentioned endangered land mammals, it is more than relative. On a planet where natural habitats are shrinking, it is essential that human beings protect our wildlife, whether land or marine, endangered or not.
Tom Bauer, Morro Bay
This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Protecting marine mammals, wildlife is essential."