Justice for the Condors

I was outraged to read in the L.A. Times, July 24, that three shots had been fired at one of the two California condors that have been released back into the wild north of Fillmore.

It is difficult to understand how anyone could even conceive of attempting to fire upon these magnificent and endangered birds, especially given the enormous amount of publicity the Condor Rescue and Release Program has received. Furthermore, it is contradictory (to say the least) that anyone would trouble to visit a wilderness area, yet would not demonstrate care and respect for that environment and for the wildlife living within it.

Although my wife’s solution of declaring “open season” upon such cruel and negligent lowlife has much merit, unfortunately I believe it falls outside of certain limitations imposed by our present concept of justice. In lieu of such a pragmatic solution, I would hope that if the “suspect” mentioned in the article does indeed prove to be the culprit, he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

PHILIP B. MAURICE

Thousand Oaks