Our Vanishing Wild Life Its Extermination and Preservation

William T. Hornaday's "Our Vanishing Wild Life: Its Extermination and Preservation" is a passionate call to action for wildlife conservation, published in 1913. Here's a breakdown of the book's key points:

Part 1: The Extermination

• Focus on Decline: Hornaday documents the rapid decline of various North American wildlife species due to human activities like hunting, habitat destruction, and market exploitation.
• Case Studies: The book uses specific examples like the American bison, passenger pigeon, and Carolina parakeet, which were hunted to near extinction. He details the hunting practices that led to their decline.
• Underlying Factors: Hornaday goes beyond hunting to explore economic interests, fashion trends, and a lack of public awareness as drivers of wildlife depletion.

Part 2: The Preservation

• Shifting Focus: The second part of the book outlines arguments and strategies for wildlife preservation.
• Importance of Wildlife: Hornaday emphasizes the value of wildlife beyond economic gain. He highlights their ecological roles, aesthetic beauty, and scientific significance.
• Conservation Efforts: He discusses existing conservation efforts like the creation of national parks and wildlife refuges.
• Call to Action: Hornaday urges readers to support conservation organizations, advocate for stricter wildlife protection laws, and promote responsible hunting practices.

Overall, "Our Vanishing Wild Life" is a landmark work in the history of conservation. It serves as a warning about the consequences of unchecked human actions on wildlife and a call for a more sustainable approach to our relationship with the natural world.

It's important to note that while Hornaday's passion for conservation is undeniable, some of his views on predator control and species hierarchy may not align with modern conservation principles.