Giving animals names is not unscientific; giving them only numbers is entirely irresponsible. It cannot be suggested that every single reptile or every zebra must have a unique name. In large populations, this may be impractical and even unnecessary. But certainly for those facing extinction, numbering instead of naming is but a step towards elimination.
If we are at all serious about wildlife conservation of our threatened species, we need to recognize three things: first, that our wild animals have as much a right to be here as us, if not more; consequently, that we must change the *language* of conservation - give the animals names when we can, refer to them by gender and not as "it"; and, finally, accord them the legal standing that Justice Douglas saw 40 years ago so that we, their legal guardians, can speak for those who do not have our language.
Links: Full article At Prisoner of Agenda:
http://www.prisonerofagenda.com/environment/wildlife/animal_rights_human_wrongs.php
At Mumbai Mirror dot com:
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/171/201010082010100802111734797dd7ea8/Animal-Rights-Human-Wrongs.html
