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7 - What is the use?

Carnivores as food, for medicine, perfumes, sport, tourism and the fur trade

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2010

Hans Kruuk
Affiliation:
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory
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Summary

Previous chapters showed carnivores as a dangerous and expensive nuisance, but it would go against the grain to leave it at that. They are highly attractive animals, and if that is not enough, wild carnivores can also be tremendously useful to us. In this chapter I will discuss some of their direct, material benefits – often more of historical significance than of present-day importance, but nevertheless far-reaching aspects of our ecological relationship with carnivores.

Some time ago I gave a talk here in my Scottish village, and when it came to the conservation of otters, a somewhat grumpy farmer asked ‘what is the use of them to me?’ He was, of course, implying that otters and their conservation are a waste of time. To many people, like me, otters are of use, simply because we are thrilled if we see them, and even if we do not actually come across an otter we enjoy the knowledge that we might, and that they are there in the river or the lake. People are even prepared to pay for this pleasure. Nevertheless, the farmer's utilitarian question is central to society's approach to the environment. Can we eat them, use their products, or do they provide a sport or service? In the end it is this question that will determine the survival of many of these species.

CARNIVORES AS FOOD

In modern western society we do not eat carnivores any more; even the idea is rather repulsive.

Type
Chapter
Information
Hunter and Hunted
Relationships between Carnivores and People
, pp. 117 - 136
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2002

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  • What is the use?
  • Hans Kruuk, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory
  • Illustrated by Diana E. Brown
  • Book: Hunter and Hunted
  • Online publication: 08 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614996.008
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  • What is the use?
  • Hans Kruuk, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory
  • Illustrated by Diana E. Brown
  • Book: Hunter and Hunted
  • Online publication: 08 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614996.008
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • What is the use?
  • Hans Kruuk, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory
  • Illustrated by Diana E. Brown
  • Book: Hunter and Hunted
  • Online publication: 08 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614996.008
Available formats
×