THE 5000 “replicas” a museum is displaying are real animals that have been killed and sent to the taxidermist and subsequently stuffed and mounted (Museum shows off collection of 5000 animal replicas, October 31). There is nothing replica about them. Some of the animals in the picture are protected species on the IUCN Red List, a list set up in 1964.

Fair enough, in the “olden days” collectors hunted, shot and killed species for identification purposes, as they needed a physical specimen to identify and categorise. For the birding community, this became known as shotgun birding. Fortunately, the Red List came into existence and the hunting and killing of red-listed species became illegal, along with the trade for their body parts and ownership of a live, dead animal or any component part or parts thereof. Animals that were killed and collected pre-Red List are still allowed to be owned and are an important source of scientific study even today.

Although hunting and killing goes on still, there is an ever increasing group of people that use cameras instead of guns to “capture” these magnificent animals. Even as recently as the 70s, probably sooner, people were catching insects and sticking pins through them to mount them in a display case. I know, I was shown how to do it as a pre-teen boy before I knew any better.

Ecotourism is very much alive and kicking and it ensures that many species are protected, because they are of more value alive than dead to lodge owners and their workers around the world. Many rangers that now protect these animals have a former poaching background. I know of a number of former hunting lodges in southern Africa that have switched over to wildlife conservation and ecotourism. The landowners ensure that their land is left or returned to nature that provides the necessary habitat for the wildlife that inhabits it. It is perhaps the only way to continue saving the large but shrinking biodiversity that we enjoy on this planet.
Andy Hurley
Germany

AFTER reading Kevin McKenna’s diatribe against rugby, I too experienced a profound change of heart: lets call it an epiphany (A game of two halves, October 31).

READ MORE: Kevin McKenna: A game of two halfs

Now I realise that small-minded football-only supporters have only tunnel vision.

In the early 70s as a state school pupil, football was the only diet. Luckily two new teachers appearing from Jordanhill took upon themselves the task of promoting rugby to us state school boys. After a faltering start we had a few seasons of enjoying playing both state schools and private schools in the area.

It was certainly my saviour, as at that point it was too easy to fall down the route of football/hooliganism and all that it brings in the west of Scotland – bigotry. Unfortunately, as rugby was an extracurricular activity, the teachers’ strike of that era soon stopped any ongoing development. No state school at that time would then have rugby on the agenda.

I care not a jot what Kevin thinks of rugby, but the jobs being undertaken over the years through the tireless work of Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) representatives with their initiatives in bringing rugby to state schools are to be applauded.

However, I would postulate that these same schools have no desire to change the ingrained habits. Do they fear a watering down of football talent that doesn’t seem to be there anymore? Money and personnel are a great problem. Short-term fixes at all levels are merely band aids.

Grassroots help from local clubs within and without the school environment are necessary.

With this spiral of non-commitment, does it not seem obvious that my favourite sport seems a minority? The SRU alone is not to blame. Attitudes like Kevin’s also must take their share.
Dave King
Glasgow

SO, the Hunt is on for ways to channel yet more public money to those from the private sector.

Jeremy Hunt wants to open up top diplomatic roles to external candidates. He is just the latest in a long line of intellectually grey politicians to come to the conclusion that what government needs is to channel more public money towards those from the private sector. Never mind that welfare already subsidises low wages in the UK – and also, we’ve been here so many times before.

I remember when an influx from the private sector was the answer to a shortage of teachers and also to prepare pupils for life. Business people were encouraged to take up teaching. My youngest daughter suffered from this experiment with one of the worst teachers she ever had, entirely incapable of – well – teaching and with, apparently, no understanding of nine year olds.

Passing over the obvious point that “those in the private sector” seem to succeed these days by asset-stripping, has it ever occurred to those in Westminster that if we train and fund those in the public sector properly we wouldn’t have to bring in the locusts?
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh

RECENTLY there have been numerous calls for more powers for local government (Scotland’s local democratic deficit exposed by new report, October 31). The Greens and Common Weal being the latest.

READ MORE: Scotland revealed as 'least locally democratic country in Europe'

I don’t know from what areas these people come, but in my area of East Dunbartonshire, the LAST thing we need is more powers for a council so inept and incompetent.

If anything I would be happy to have powers TAKEN from them, such as major contracts, education, planning, finance, etc.

Until such times as councils are made legally responsible for their mistakes, they cannot be trusted with even more powers.

Surrounding councils, such as Glasgow and North Lanarkshire, are faring not much better.
Jim McGregor
Kirkintilloch