In the recent years and decades, native species which compose the original Japanese ecosystem is threatened by creatures “imported” from outside, causing a dramatic decline in numbers. One such creature is the Minami Killifish (a.k.a., Ryukyu Killifish), and our students (G5 and G9) have volunteered to reach out, to help its kind. They will care for a small community of this near-extinct fish in our small pond located in the school courtyard.
Mr. Tokutake, of Chura-shima Foundation, was an invited guest to lecture on the killifish and its background.
First, he spoke of the northern, central, and southern regions of the Ryukyus… and introduced a wider variety of creatures, to set the context.
Then we heard about why now, why “the killifish” are endangered, on the verge of extinction… and as it turns out, the greatest cause is us (humans). By developing real estate, and by “importing” a variety of species alien to these regions (for entertainment), sometimes for food. Namely, the mongoose, the Taiwan habu (snakes), red-eared sliders (turtles), and carp. These are known to feed on native creatures, or are defeated in context of survival, and cross-breeding is known to occur. Eventually, this will affect the food chain, thus, even influence our lives as humans.
So, when we hear about a particular species being “endangered,” it’s not something we can ignore.
“We ought to be more cautious not to allow our pets to go loose in the wild, or to release them somewhere other than where they were captured.” Of course it’s something we already know, but we were reminded how serious the consequences of careless actions can be.
This is where we plan to care for the killifish. Only thing is…. a few other species are already living here in the pond, to include plant-life. Mr. Tokutake assigned homework, as part of his lecture – to come up with a solution of how to take care of the creatures and plants we already have in the pond. We can’t easily sacrifice lives just to save the ones we want to. We were reassured the importance of life, and how responsible we ought to be as we approach this task.