Subject: RE: Ontario Receives Failing Grade in Conservation
Conservation policy usually focuses on preserving the young or endangered, but fails exceptional animals like centenarians, those remarkable individuals old even for their own species. Greenland sharks can live 400 years, lobsters over 100, and ocean quahogs 500.
Protecting centenarians is crucial. If an animal is found to live far beyond the usual lifespan of its species, I believe it should automatically be protected because of those exceptional characteristics.
These rare survivors carry irreplaceable genetic information. Just as we safeguard ancient trees, we should protect these elders as an act of responsibility, awareness, and respect. Their value lies in the fact that they are still here, and that alone should be enough to protect them.
Blanca Hernández,
Salamanca, Spain