final blog

Tommy Gaston-

Ok so for my final blog I want to do another random thing. I’m sure all of you saw my digital story on the hunt and know by now that I am big into the outdoors. I was looking for an idea for my last story for professor DeSanto’s class and came across an interesting article on cougars in Missouri (Missouri Coalition for the Environment). For a long time many thought that they were extinct in our state and according to the article, sightings of these cats were placed in the same category as UFOs. But lately evidence has been piling up. Some people have caught video footage and evidence like poo and paw prints have proven they are back. No thanks to human endeavors (meaning no reintroduction plans, game reserves, etc) more and more sightings are taking place. This is significant because it tells us that not only are they surviving in the wild, but thriving and growing in numbers without human help. That does not mean however that we shouldn’t do our part. They are still endangered and need to be protected by law. Not too long ago, a pair of Missouri hunters was prosecuted for illegally killing one. Under the endangered species law in Missouri, the only time it is okay to kill one is if it is attacking a human. It is important to get awareness out about this magnificent cat and to convince local residents that keeping them around would be a beneficial addition to Missouri wildlife.

Well folks it has been a great semester. . . My email is sonofthunder2006@gmail.com if any of you want to contact me

Ok so one last thing before I go: here is tourettes guy, remember he is funny but curses a lot, enjoy