The political meaning of species

[Geoff Read]

I'd better explore this some more, not to disappoint John Grehan :-)

> In the black robon-tit hybrid (tobin) case
> there was a seeming lack of scientific evaluation,

> [snip] The Department of Conservation
> did not want to see their application of "science" come to public notice, or
> even reach other scientists.

If true, that seems to be misguided. But John  objects also to  the action
taken. Having manufactured the event that led to hybrids what should they
have done? And was there some implication that the Chatham Island black
robin's ability to hybridise means it is not a 'good' species?  Where
commitment of public funds to 'save' it are involved this is obviously a
sensitive issue.


--
  Geoff Read <g.read at niwa.cri.nz>