USVI-On-Line

waterguy wrote:Actually the Park service was shooting donkeys a couple of years ago to try and give the native veg. a chance.

"Attempted" to shoot donkeys...they blasted away in full view of vacationers at Caneel, including children. The wounded donkeys stumbled stumbled away as park service personnel trundled after them. It was all bad.

All negatives aside in regards to how lionfish would affect the VI's waters, the sting from a lionfish is really not that bad. For a small fish its deadly, but for humans its a bit stronger than a good bee sting. Being a saltwater aquarist for many years and my initial major was marine biology I have heard of many a people being stung by lionfish. Although I have never been stung myself

It would be better to report it anyways. That way the park service could properly document all the specifics of the fish and location. They generally do not move very far very quickly, especially if the feeding is good.

Schnell wrote:All negatives aside in regards to how lionfish would affect the VI's waters, the sting from a lionfish is really not that bad. For a small fish its deadly, but for humans its a bit stronger than a good bee sting. Being a saltwater aquarist for many years and my initial major was marine biology I have heard of many a people being stung by lionfish. Although I have never been stung myself

According to the first link, a sting can be very painful!

Purdy said he has been stung several times while rounding up lionfish — once badly.
"It was so painful, it made me want to cut my own hand off," he said.

Chet wrote:they blasted away in full view of vacationers at Caneel, including children. The wounded donkeys stumbled stumbled away as park service personnel trundled after them. It was all bad.

WHAT were they thinking?!?! That's terrible! In the first place they should have gotten someone to do the job that could aim! It's just terrible to torture them to death by not getting the first shot!

Oh my, I'm sorry but I never think of the donkeys as being destructive.

To me, they seem kind of magical; I think they epitomize the slow-moving, island lifestyle.

While it is understandable that the some may want to eradicate the donkey population, I would hope they would be more discreet.

It would be absolutely horrifying to witness such an event!

We humans sure can play havoc on the enviroment too. Had to laugh at that carp video although I know it must be a big problem. Does someone own that huge herd of goats in Coral Bay or are those wild. All I could think about as they crossed the road was YUMM CURRY GOAT