“But launching big, loud, smelly rockets from the middle of a wildlife refuge will scare the heck out of every creature within miles “
sounds reasnalbe on the surface. But the proof is in the pudding.
Someone aught to take them on a ride around the National Wildlife Refuge Area roads sharing the area with the KSC (Kennedy Space Center) They abound with wildlife - many kinds of birds, lotsa gators, up close and personal as you drive the back, narrow dirt roads. etc.
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=41570
excerpt:
“Over 500 species of wildlife inhabit the Refuge with 16 currently listed as federally threatened or endangered. Several wading bird rookeries, approximately 10 active bald eagle nests, numerous osprey nests, up to 400 manatees and an estimated 2,500 Florida scrub jays can be found on the Refuge.”
They probably know this though. It’s not about truth, it’s about propaganda...and knowing m ost people will swallow it.
The critters will learn pretty quickly that those big noises don't represent any threat to them, and will learn to ignore them. Kinda like a person learning to ignore the sound of traffic or a train, if they hear it all the time.