What price open space?February 25, 2011Dear Sir,If we were to set an economic value on our precious open space and it is high time we did it would then be clear that granting an SDO to allow the development of land currently zoned nature reserve, woodland, coastal and cave conservation is no different from Government writing a cheque for tens of millions of dollars of Bermudian taxpayers’ money to bail out the Tucker’s Point Group. If that would not be acceptable, then why is the SDO?KAREN BORDERSecretary, Bermuda Audubon SocietyA philosophy to emulateFebruary 25, 2011Dear Sir,I would like to ask the Minister of the Environment, Minister of Tourism and all Members of Parliament to take the time to look at the January 2011 issue of the Robb Report The Travel Issue, www.RobbReport.com. Bermuda Tourism has a full page ad on page 35 and there is an interesting article titled Improving Paradise on page 72 about The Seychelles and their emerging elite eco-conscious resorts. One company, Great Plains Conservation, is restoring one of the islands and the managing director had an excellent quote: “The goal here is to mimic the island’s original state. The resort must factor into the island, not the other way around.” This would be an excellent idea/philosophy for the Tucker’s Point Club to adopt.I sincerely hope our Government takes the time to reconsider the proposed SDO and the destruction of more pristine island forests.PAM SHAILERDevonshireSay no to animal showsFebruary 23, 2011Dear Sir,I wholeheartedly agree with the letter written by Maureen Ware-Cieters regarding the wild tiger magic show that is currently taking place in Bermuda. We cannot call ourselves an enlightened society as long as we allow shows like this to come to our Island. There are so many entertainment alternatives that do not subject animals to degrading and inhumane treatment in the name of charity and education. This kind of exploitation has no place in our society.The Born Free Foundation says: “Thousands of wild animals are used worldwide in circuses, side-shows, within zoos, and in advertising, film and television, to perform demeaning and unnatural tricks to entertain the public. The animals can live life continually on the move, often travelling vast distances chained, tethered or encaged, and endure harsh training regimes in order to correctly perform in front of an audience or camera. This is no life for a wild animal. It is widely acknowledged that vertebrate animals can experience pain, suffering and distress. Research has shown that keeping wild animals in cramped conditions, in inadequate and unnatural social environments and subjecting them to repeated travel causes heightened stress responses that result in a serious negative impact on animal welfare. Many countries now have animal protection laws, and some have banned the use of some or all wild animals in circuses (e.g. Austria, Singapore).”We would be horrified and appalled if a person was subjected to this kind of treatment, so why do we allow it with animals? I certainly hope that in the future anyone else considering a show involving animals will think twice. It’s not about education; it’s about profit-making. Let’s set a precedent and say no to this cruel treatment of animals who cannot speak for themselves. Wild animals belong in the wild.ERICA MARTINSmith’s