MSGID: 1:135/250@fidonet 6866077d   
   PID: C-NET AMIGA BBS 5.36b   
     This should still be on topic.     
   It is sort of activism..   
      
   Taken from Brent's World (www.catracing.org).   
   (It's my blog, I authorize the repost of the content.).   
      
   It was bound to happen sooner or later.  I turned 50 last month!  Going   
   through some tough times personally, a family member made sure I received lots   
   of birthday gifts!  One of those gifts turned out to be a USB LED lamp with a   
   taxidermied bat encased in acrylic.   
      
     This crated a conflict of emotions.  On one hand I was grateful that the   
   family member acknowledged my love and interest in bats.  I have received my   
   fair share of negative reactions with talking about, and sharing my interest,   
   knowledge, and love of the winged mammals.  With copious pictures of my zany   
   plush bat collection!  So, knowing that I was sent something they thought I   
   would really enjoy did bring a smile to my face.  Tempered with the cringy ?OH   
   NO! This is bad for bats!?   
      
     The collection, killing, mounting, and sale of these specimens is a cause of   
   great concern for conservationists and environmentalists because it creates a   
   market for the bats on the open market.  Especially when the sale of these   
   goods is so easy online.   
      
     Not only is the origin and collection of the specimens unknown, so are the   
   collection methods.  Are these bats that died naturally?  Were they healthy?    
   Did the collection and preparation of the specimen unknowing expose the   
   handlers to diseases?  Were the bats killed specifically to be mounted and   
   sold?  Was the species of bat on the endangered species list?  Even if the   
   species was not endangered creating a demand for such novelties might start   
   impacting the species population.   
      
     The common wisdom amongst bat conservationists and organizations that care   
   for bats and their habitat is to not purchase any taxidermied bat items!    
      
     If you would like to buy a bat themed gift for yourself or someone you love   
   that is interested in bats there are plenty of Bat themed gifts on Amazon;   
   such as these wonderful plush bats.    
      
     The Lubee Bat Conservancy has an online gift shop with plenty of great   
   items. They also offer many special events, such as a VIP Tour, Photo Day With   
   The Bats, Yoga With The Bats, and Painting With Bats.  All proceeds go to the   
   support of their facility and other conservation efforts!   
      
     If you are a bat lover and are the recipient of a real bat gift.  Remember!    
   The sender meant well, take this as a great opportunity to share the plight of   
   bats.  Whatever you do, do not scold or chastise them!  At best, they will   
   think you are ungrateful and just shut what you are saying out.  The main   
   reason I gave up on learning Korean when I lived there for 14 years was the   
   rampant criticism and actual physical confrontation for making the smallest   
   social faux pau, or mispronunciation!  I didn?t mean to be rude in the   
   slightest, but the risks of trying outweighed the benefits of effort.   
      
     Bat Friendly Gifts for Your Bat Loving Friends ?   
      
   Plush Bats On Amazon   
      
   https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Plush+Bats&crid=193MV0P5K4A1G&sprefix=plush+bats%2C   
      
   Lubee Bat Conservancy Gift Shop   
      
   https://www.lubee.org/shop   
      
   Lubee Bat Conservancy Events   
      
   https://www.lubee.org/event-calendar   
      
   https://www.lubee.org/battours   
      
   For more information on this topic, please see ?I AM NOT ART! I AM NOT DCOR! I   
   AM NOT AN ORNAMENTAL!? https://www.lubee.org/iamnotart   
      
   DISCLAIMER:  The opinions and information shared in this blog are my own, and   
   while the organizations mentioned within this blog may share my views in PART   
   or in their ENITRETY. They are my OWN.  Please do not contact the sellers or   
   organizations in the above links questions, comments, or services not   
   expressly offered in the links provided.   
      
   Rug Rat (Brent Hendricks)   
   Blog and Forums  - www.catracing.org   
   IMAGE BBS! 3.0   - bbs.catracing.org 6400   
   C-Net Amiga BBS  - bbs.catracing.org 6840   
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