I saw this story recently and to be honest the first thing I did was…laugh a little bit. I felt terrible for the ‘victim’ in this case but recreating the scene where an eagle ray sores out of the water was actually a comical thought in my mind.
However, this seemingly funny story brings along with it a very serious message for humans. We have to remember that this planet we inhibit is not only ours. Obviously, to get this point across I could of used a number of stories incorporating zoo incidents, animal attacks, and wild encounters with nature, but I was drawn to this story for the comedy and the minimal amount of violent or harmful consequences.
We have to remember that all of our planet’s creatures are dependent on two factors- reproduction and survival. These are the bare basics of life on Earth and in this story we see the first of the conditions satisfied. For mating purposes the Eagle Ray skies out of the water. They do this to attract female mates and to show off their physical prowess. The reproductive aim of the Eagle Ray simply got into the way of this family trying to enjoy a nice day out on the Florida Keys. Even so, the encounter was a very scary incident for all parties involved, including the ray.
The comical aspect of this story however ended abruptly when I heard that a woman was killed by an Eagle Ray a couple years ago in a very synonymous story. This relationship we have with animals and creatures in the world has to be a respectful one. We have to realize they are entitled to the land just as we are and they are very dangerous animals out there and without respect for them violent encounters will exist.
I too saw this story on CNN and immediately laughed a bit to myself. Then I realized that this really isn't funny at all. I would be freaking out if a 300 pound eagle ray fell on top of me. To be honest, I would be freaking out if a 20 pound eagle ray was on me. We do forget sometimes that we, as human beings, are not the only animal on the planet. Interactions between various species can be deadly at times, as evidenced by eagle ray attacks, lion attacks, shark attacks, etc. All in all, we must respect nature and the other species that occupy Planet Earth with us.
ReplyDeleteWhen animals are allowed to breed in absence of predation, they often lose the fight-or-flight response that would allow them to survive an encounter with a predator. If a predator is then introduced into the naïve prey’s environment, the consequences for the prey can be disastrous. This phenomenon is believed to be in part responsible for the extinction of many species such as the flightless Moa of New Zealand after the introduction of the Maori, and later the Europeans, to the environment. As members of a so-called developed nation we are now so coddled by modern comforts and technology that we are developing a naivety towards nature. It’s not just flying rays that we have to worry about, but we are losing knowledge of how to live off the land. If modern society begins to collapse, which it most certainly will with our unsustainable practices of intensive agriculture and dependence on petroleum and other nonrenewable resources, we are due for a nasty surprise.
ReplyDeleteThe respect we have for animals should be a lot higher regarding their ability to harm us. We may, as a race, be encroaching on their natural habitat and ruining their chances for future reproduction, but they can harm us in the now as well. Take for example the phenomenon of deer running across streets at night causing fatal accidents is a result of habitat overlapping between us and them.The saddest part of this is that most people see this as a competition between us and other animals; however, what they don't realize is that we rely on them for many of the things that we need to survive-the most important of which is food and clothing. We need to realize that we cannot conquer ALL of the land on Earth.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find most interesting is the fact that we find incidents like this silly and frivolous until we find out actual harm has occurred or others close to ourselves have experience such incidents. Does that mean we're hardwired to be at peace when the violence is far away and caught up with it when it is close to home?
ReplyDeleteEver since conservationist and television star Steve Irwin was killed by a ray, the idea of rays and sea creatures other than sharks attacking humans has bred fear in us. Though the woman in the video was alright, Steve Irwin's death was a reminder that wild animals are dangerous and even the most talented wild animal handlers in the world are not invulnerable. A somewhat befitting death for a man who would wrestle crocodiles and venomous snakes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anybody actually fears eagle ray attacks after this made news. I live in Florida and do a fair amount of fishing, so I can tell you that eagle rays aren't the only creature that can jump into a boat and cause havoc. Although this lady survived, there are several cases of much smaller eagle rays killing people when boats are cruising around at a decent speed. I wouldn't say we are in anyway encroaching by opting to ride a boat around in the ocean and freak accidents like this are bound to occur. Habitat overlapping on land is a real argument, but I still think we are an insignificant factor when it comes to marine habitat.
ReplyDeletePeople have no respect for animals. Im just saying this due to a previous comment that really got me thinking. People just assume that all animals are going to act like those at the zoo and just dont understand that animals are not used to other animals coming up and trying to pet them. Nature doesnt really work like that.
ReplyDelete