Have a look at this amazing video showing how one species can have a massive cascading effect on the entire ecosystem in which it lives
and even alter the geography of the area.
This may be one of the most important conservation concepts to come out of natural science in the last half century. The thing about this case study is that the same can be applied to apex predators around the world: lions in Africa, tigers in Asia. Sharks, bears, and wild dogs are all species sitting at the top of their respective food chains, creating stability amongst the species they prey on and maintaining the health of plants and animals right down the trophic ladder.
The sad part is that some of these apex predators are in decline, sometimes jeopardising ecosystems on which they and other species rely.
With all this in mind, its time for us humans to adjust our perception of predators in general. We cant be agreeing to
mass culling of sharks as has recently been sanctioned in western Australia. (Also see:
Western Australias Controversial Shark Cull Claims First Casualty)
Human/wildlife conflict is a reality of growing populations around the world, and the fact is that we need to learn to live beside wildlife if we are to maintain our wonderful thriving ecosystems in the future.
