Q: "What's with this thread regarding skinned ferrets?" "What's your
    opinion?  [of the thread]"
 
A: That I should use the thread to sew my mouth shut.
 
I wasn't actually planning on commenting on it, but I got three emails in
a single day; one begging me to "say something before it is too late." Ok,
get ready to get mad!
 
1) There is an ever increasing tendency for people to want to keep their
dead pets around; freeze drying their cats, stuffing their birds, that sort
of thing.  I personally see no actualistic difference between this activity
and saving your cremated pet's remains in an urn on a shelf.  It is a
personal decision, based upon a personal set of life values, and neither
I nor anyone else should have a right to devalue someone for it.  While
I personally would not want to be stuffed and mounted (unless it is in
regards to tacos and lovin'), *I* have donated my remains to science and
sooner or later, my skeleton will be found in a box somewhere.  The bottom
line is, it is a personal decision, based on constitutional rights, and I
have no problem with it.
 
2) The buying/selling/trading/bartering of a pelt (or bones) of an animal
dates back to before recorded history.  It is a deeply rooted custom and
probably one which (regardless of your or my opinion about it) will not be
ended soon.  It is legal provided governmental regulations are followed.
The only comment I have is that IF it is ok to place rock crystals and
candles on a rabbit skin, or to buy a leather wrapped, furred and feathered
coyote skull in a Native American motif, then you have no right to complain
about a ferret fur being offered for sale.  The real problem in this
instance is not the actual offering of the item BUT our feelings towards
seeing a beloved pet ferret pelt being offered for sale.  There is a
hypocrisy in that objections are made that a ferret is a domestic animal
so the pelt shouldn't be sold, often made by people who wear crocodile
boots and leather belts.  If it is wrong for one species, then it is wrong
for all.
 
3) Animal skins and bones are typically saved by scientists who study fur
structure and pelt color and markings and bone structure for purposes of
identification and speciation.  Animal fur and teeth are unique to genus
(even species), so saving it provides a forensic scientist a tool to
prosecute poachers or to identify animal remains in historic or
archaeological contexts.  I have personally viewed and measured ALL the
black-footed ferret pelts and bones in the national museums.  Included on
those shelves was many pelts and skeletons from European and steppe
polecats, as well as domesticated ferret skins.  By viewing these skins
and bones, I was able to see for myself that the BBF and polecats probably
formed a single super species; an idea long debated by mustelid experts and
recently supported by European genetics work.  The value of these remains
goes far beyond simple morphometrics; it is possible they are a repository
of genetic material which can be used in the future to resurrect extinct
species.  They are an international treasure.
 
4) People have the right to express their opinions, especially one on a
subject with such obvious moral and ethical overtones.  That right is
best expressed in a free and open environment.  Flaming someone for their
opinion is fair ONLY if the flamer accepts such a response in return.  It
is ONLY through fair and open discourse and debate that IDEAS can be
exchanged, allowing the truth of the situation to be made public.  In other
words, IF you want ME to read your comments and hope to have ANY persuasive
power, then be polite and respectful of the oppositions opinions and belief
system, and DON'T whine if someone returns your nasty comments.  Talk,
argue, convince, prove; don't flame.
 
And as was once said to Forrest, "Run, Bob! Run!"
 
Bob C and 16 Mo' Ferrets in Flame Retardant Pelts
[Posted in FML issue 3016]