From
<http://www.alternet.org/environment/144258/bill_moyers_&_jane_goodall:_what_chimps_reveal_about_human_brutality,_violence,_compassion_and_hope>
or http://bit.ly/7gzrQ6 if the long link doesn't work.

>Moyers: And you say, "I have fallen in love with black-footed
>ferrets."
>
>Goodall: Oh, yes.
>
>Moyers: How so? That little creature. I've seen one, I think, once
>when I was doing a documentary on the plains. But why in love with
>a ferret?
>
>Goodall: Because it's the most- I'd never seen one. But I went out
>with the ferret people and we went out all night and we saw some of
>these little ferrets. And in the spotlight, their eyes are emerald.
>They're only about this long. They're very athletic and they're just
>charming. I mean, you know how some animals are beautiful?
>Beautifully made.
>
>Moyers: "Tiny in size," you say, "mighty in courage, and utterly
>enchanting."
>
>Goodall: They are utterly enchanting. But their life is absolutely
>entwined with the prairie dogs. And farmers don't like prairie dogs.
>So, prairie dogs are being poisoned and sucked out with vacuum
>cleaners and the great prairies are almost reduced, because of
>agriculture, farming, development. And the relentless draining of
>the aquifers. So if you save the ferret that means you've saved the
>prairie dog. That means you've saved a piece of the great prairies.
>It's a totally unique ecosystem. It's part of America's heritage. We
>shouldn't deny our great-grandchildren, who with any luck will be
>wiser than we, the opportunity of being in a place which nurtured
>their ancestors.

Linda

[Posted in FML 6534]