Page 386 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

CHAPTER XXXIX
BRITISH GAME PRESERVES IN AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA
This brief chapter is offered as an object-lesson to the world at large.
In the early days of America, the founders of our states and territories gave little heed, or none at all, to the preservation of wild life. Even if they thought of that duty, undoubtedly they felt that the game would always last, and that they had no time for such sentimental side issues as the making of game preserves. They were coping with troubles and perplexities of many kinds, and it is not to be wondered at that up to forty years ago, real game protection in America went chiefly by default.
In South Africa, precisely the same conditions have prevailed until recenttimes. Theearlycolonistswerekeptsobusyshootinglionsand makingfarmsthatnotonegamepreservewasmade. Ifanymencan be excused from the work and worry of preserving game, and making preserves, it is those who spend their lives pioneering and state-building in countries like Africa. Men who continually have to contend with disease, bad food, rains, insect pests, dangerous wild beasts and native cussedness may well claim that they have troubles enough, without going far into campaigns to preserve wild animals in countries where animals areplentifulandcheap. ItisforthisreasonthatthepeopleofAlaska can not be relied upon to preserve the Alaskan game. They are busy with other things that are of more importance to them.
In May, 1900, representatives of the great powers owning territory in Africa held a conference in the interests of the wild-animal life of that continent. AsaresultaConventionwassignedbywhichthosepowers bound hemselves "to make provision for the prevention of further undue destruction of wild game." The principles laid down for universal observance were as follows:
1. Sparing of females and immature animals.
2. The establishment of close seasons and game sanctuaries.
3. Absolute protection of rare species.
4. Restrictionsonexportfortradingpurposesofskins,horns,tusks,etc. 5. Prohibition of the use of pits, snares and game traps.
The 'brave and hardy men who are making for the British people a
grand empire in Africa probably are greater men than far-distant people realize. To them, the white man's burden of game preservation is acceptedasallintheday'swork. AmerehandfulofBritishcivilofficers, strongly aided by the Society for the Preservation of the Fauna of the British Empire, have carved out and set aside a great chain of game preserves reaching all the way from Swaziland and the Transvaal to Khartoum. Taken either collectively or separately, it represents grand