PROMOTING SALAMANDER CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
Salamanders are in a terrible crisis. Copious numbers of salamander species are disappearing from the wild at a daunting rate. Unfortunately, due to their secretive and cryptic nature, salamanders are not commonly seen by people. This means the decline in salamanders largely goes unnoticed - even as species dwindle and become extirpated (locally extinct and exterminated). Salamanders are further at risk due to the fact that few conservation groups are solely devoted to their recovery, and the general public is largely indifferent to saving ''slimy amphibians.''
Aside from the conservation concerns that afflict salamanders, these amphibians are also subjected to many forms of cruelty and exploitation. Yet virtually no attention is given to salamanders from animal welfare advocates.
Save The Salamanders is a progressive wildlife conservation & environmental venture created and run by Matt Ellerbeck (The Salamander Man), who is a Salamander Advocate & Conservationist.
Matt aims to help contribute to the conservation of salamanders to ensure their continuing survival. This means the recovery and protection of threatened and endangered salamander species, their critical habitats, and their declining populations. The word conservation is often used to describe a movement that aims to conserve natural resources and species expressly for their continued sustainable use by humans. In this sense a conservationist views the environment as having instrumental value that can be of help to people. Matt, however, aims to protect and preserve salamanders for their intrinsic value. Salamanders have inherent worth, regardless of any instrumental utility to human needs.
Along with wildlife preservation and animal protection, Matt strongly believes in the ideals of Environmentalism, Deep Ecology, Left Biocentrism, Ecocentrism, Sentiocentrism and anti-Speciesism; and draws from these various beliefs and movements to help salamanders.
Aside from the conservation concerns that afflict salamanders, these amphibians are also subjected to many forms of cruelty and exploitation. Yet virtually no attention is given to salamanders from animal welfare advocates.
Save The Salamanders is a progressive wildlife conservation & environmental venture created and run by Matt Ellerbeck (The Salamander Man), who is a Salamander Advocate & Conservationist.
Matt aims to help contribute to the conservation of salamanders to ensure their continuing survival. This means the recovery and protection of threatened and endangered salamander species, their critical habitats, and their declining populations. The word conservation is often used to describe a movement that aims to conserve natural resources and species expressly for their continued sustainable use by humans. In this sense a conservationist views the environment as having instrumental value that can be of help to people. Matt, however, aims to protect and preserve salamanders for their intrinsic value. Salamanders have inherent worth, regardless of any instrumental utility to human needs.
Along with wildlife preservation and animal protection, Matt strongly believes in the ideals of Environmentalism, Deep Ecology, Left Biocentrism, Ecocentrism, Sentiocentrism and anti-Speciesism; and draws from these various beliefs and movements to help salamanders.
He also aspires to help bring an end to the immense cruelty and abuse that salamanders often face. Matt believes in the highest level of animal protection for salamanders, and as such disapproves of all practices, trades, or industries which inflict pain and suffering upon them or exploit them.
Matt strongly affirms that salamanders should never be killed or subjected to pain or suffering by humans for any reason.
From an ethical point of view, most people are against animal cruelty and support efforts to minimize animal suffering and to protect species. In Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, animal welfare is defined as "the avoidance of abuse and exploitation of animals by humans by maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the prevention and treatment of disease and the assurance of freedom from harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain.
When salamanders are subjected to cruelty by humans it is done for insignificant and trifling reasons. The usage of salamanders is not imperative to humans in anyway. Consequently then any suffering we inflict on salamanders is totally unnecessary. The only area in which salamanders are subjected to cruelty and ultimately death by humans that could be argued as necessary is when these amphibians are used as food. However, even in this instance it is not justifiable as most salamander species are far to small to provide a significant food source to humans. Secondly, in the places where salamanders are consumed their is a plethora of other food sources available, hence their are many alternatives; as such it is not crucial to consume them.
Matt strongly affirms that salamanders should never be killed or subjected to pain or suffering by humans for any reason.
From an ethical point of view, most people are against animal cruelty and support efforts to minimize animal suffering and to protect species. In Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, animal welfare is defined as "the avoidance of abuse and exploitation of animals by humans by maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation, feeding and general care, the prevention and treatment of disease and the assurance of freedom from harassment, and unnecessary discomfort and pain.
When salamanders are subjected to cruelty by humans it is done for insignificant and trifling reasons. The usage of salamanders is not imperative to humans in anyway. Consequently then any suffering we inflict on salamanders is totally unnecessary. The only area in which salamanders are subjected to cruelty and ultimately death by humans that could be argued as necessary is when these amphibians are used as food. However, even in this instance it is not justifiable as most salamander species are far to small to provide a significant food source to humans. Secondly, in the places where salamanders are consumed their is a plethora of other food sources available, hence their are many alternatives; as such it is not crucial to consume them.
To achieve his goals and promote his cause, Matt strives to raise awareness of the threats that salamanders face, and educate people on effective actions that they can take to help alleviate these threats. This includes behavioral changes, land stewardship, and habitat management efforts. To bring his message of salamander conservation and protection to the public, Matt utilizes several platforms. These include media appearances, awareness campaigns, social networking, the distribution of informative fact sheets, and educational presentations/lectures. He also aims to help salamanders by diligently collecting observational records of these animals in the wild. These records are sent to various organizations to help gain a better understanding of salamander populations, ranges, and habitats.
He hopes that through awareness and education, people will develop a sense of empathy and concern for salamanders, and in turn they will have a desire to become active in their recovery. He wants salamanders to be part of the realm of human moral consideration. For those who do want to contribute to the conservation & protection of salamanders, this site contains much information on how to become active. Although it is unlikely that individuals will be able to do all of the suggested actions, people are still encouraged to do as much as possible.
He hopes that through awareness and education, people will develop a sense of empathy and concern for salamanders, and in turn they will have a desire to become active in their recovery. He wants salamanders to be part of the realm of human moral consideration. For those who do want to contribute to the conservation & protection of salamanders, this site contains much information on how to become active. Although it is unlikely that individuals will be able to do all of the suggested actions, people are still encouraged to do as much as possible.
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''Everything that I do, I do because I sincerely believe it will help contribute to the conservation & betterment of salamanders, which is my ultimate goal and ambition! Salamanders are the focal point of my life. There is not a day that goes by that I am not doing something salamander related, whether it's presenting educational lectures on salamander conservation, writing articles, giving interviews, or collecting observations of salamanders in the wild. When I am not doing such activities I am planning and prepping for such efforts. A good portion of every day also goes towards the care of the many salamanders that I live with. These salamanders take turns accompanying me during my lectures and presentations. Here they act as education animals and ambassadors for their kind, helping to further promote conservation and protection.'' Matt Ellerbeck
''Everything that I do, I do because I sincerely believe it will help contribute to the conservation & betterment of salamanders, which is my ultimate goal and ambition! Salamanders are the focal point of my life. There is not a day that goes by that I am not doing something salamander related, whether it's presenting educational lectures on salamander conservation, writing articles, giving interviews, or collecting observations of salamanders in the wild. When I am not doing such activities I am planning and prepping for such efforts. A good portion of every day also goes towards the care of the many salamanders that I live with. These salamanders take turns accompanying me during my lectures and presentations. Here they act as education animals and ambassadors for their kind, helping to further promote conservation and protection.'' Matt Ellerbeck
