Every country has its traditions. Some are strange by today's standards. And some are fascinating, while others are abhorrent. So what what happens when an ancient traditional practice is now looked at as inhumane? Do we, as a society, intervene? Take for example, the ways marine animals are killed. Do we allow the inhumane slaughter of marine life to continue because it's part of  tradition?

In Sicily, an island off the end of Italy, they have a centuries old tradition of killing tuna.  The tonnarotti (tuna fisherman) first capture tuna in large nets and herd them to a holding bay. Some tuna will be harpooned and lifted ashore. Others are killed by spear yielding divers. And finally,  others take aim with guns.  I'd say this is coming as close as it gets to literally shooting fish in a barrel. Killing seems more for pleasure than for practical purposes, however, tuna are dying in record numbers to meet the nearly insatiable demand for their meat.  

It's argued that stunning fish before bleeding them out is more 'humane' than shooting them. Shooting does not always instantly kill. With the fish flailing about, scared in the small, confined quarters, the shots penetrate another part of the poor creature’s body, only causing severe stress and painful injury before imminent death. Others argue, when done right, with a one kill shot to the head, it is more humane than spearing.

Some would say there are humane methods for killing animals. Certainly, there are less painful ways for animals to be killed. But what is the definition of humane? What makes a kill humane? The method? The number that die? The reasons for killing? 

The answers to those questions will be explored in future articles. Until then, I leave you to think about this. Whether killing is done in the name of tradition, industry, or science, shouldn't we always consider the animal’s suffering above all else in the process? 

Everyone has heard the expression "like shooting fish in a barrel."  It's used humorously when a task seems to be almost too easy.  Have you ever thought about when that expression becomes truth?  Canned hunting is a growing business in Africa that provides an easy way for trophy-hunters to slaughter hundreds of animals every year.

Most people don't know about this practice, myself included.  Upon researching further into it, my heart was broken for the terrible acts that are committed against some of the most docile creatures.  Canned hunting is much like farming, but with exotic animals.  They are raised on a large ranch where trophy and big game hunters go.  These hunters will pay money to go and shoot the animal of their choice with a weapon of their choice.

A certain African canned hunting site lists the prices of different animals for 2015.  The rarer the animal, the higher priced it is.  While digging around on other sites, I've found that 8 of the animals listed on their site are on the endangered list.  Elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and lions are the most hunted, yet they are all on the endangered species list.

The saddest part of all of this information is that the practice is still legal.  Even in the US there are states that allow these hunts to continue.  An example would be, Matthew McConaughey's canned hunting ranch in Mertzon, Texas.  This is a ranch of canned deer hunting, and though McConaughey has not been an owner of the ranch since 2011, it is still running today.

Many people and organizations are against this practice, but the hunters think that they are doing everyone a service.  In an interview by Marta Ariza with a professional game hunter, he explains their viewpoint.  He says that without hunters, the population of these animals would grow to a point where they would be damaging the vegetation.  The hunter also said that canned hunting is such a large industry that without it there would be hundreds of jobs lost in Africa.

The triumphant smiles are hard to understand. How is killing an animal confined by 
fences on four sides, something to feel proud about? How is killing an animal fun?