Posted on 05/08/2017 7:29:24 PM PDT by Rebelbase
The minefields laid in the Falkland Islands were intended to kill or maim British soldiers, but over the last 35 years they have become de facto nature reserves for penguins. For better or worse, however, the time has now come for their home to be demined, reports Matthew Teller.
{snip}Fortunately, the landmines aren't a problem for the penguins - at least, not the little Magellanics and Gentoos of Yorke Bay.
"They don't seem to be heavy enough to set them off," says Esther Bertram, chief executive officer of Falklands Conservation.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
I miss good comedy ala the Carol Burnett Show.
Prior to the Argentine invasion I corresponded with several Falkland islanders who were attempting to expand their tree growth forest areas in which I was sending them tree seeds. In responding as a thank you I was sent a hat and mittens made from Falkland wool(which is very soft) and decorated Penguin eggs. Apparently Penguins because they’re so plentiful there can be considered and can be pests.
What I have never understood is why not send out heavy little zoomba like devise to systematically blow up these mines?
“Cute and cuddly boys,cute and cuddly.”
When I went there (about 7 years ago) the locals told me that the UN had offered money to clear the mines but they wanted to use it to build windmills for electricity instead. They said that the schools all teach the kids about the mines so they didn't need to clear them, and the wind power was now generating about half the island's power. They said every now and then a cow might blow up, but all the kids and adults were perfectly fine at avoiding the minefields.
Well, they've been using dogs in demining for decades...
Hey, Mulvaney? You know anything about training penguins???
I checked Google Translate, couldn't find a Penguin translation for fire in the hole....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.