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UPDATE: https://pixelfed.crimedad.work/p/crimedad/717794020275353272
cross-posted from: https://pixelfed.crimedad.work/p/crimedad/715310569850044948
Time comes for us all.
We found this dead horseshoe crab on the beach today. It had a numbered tag on its shell apparently put there by The Maryland Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office. I've seen many horseshoe crabs here over the years, but never one with a tag. I made sure to go to the website and log it.
I didn't know that they lived that long.
That's how long the species has existed. They live ~25 years.
Only the lucky ones
Especially now that they're harvesting them for blood.
It's an important ingredient for the safety of injectable drugs and the crabs are returned to the sea alive. If a synthetic alternative takes off, I am concerned that the government will not care as much about protecting this species.
It's sad and crazy that raw "usefulness" is one of very few motivators to put effort into protecting things at a national level.
Everything is a hostage standoff negotiation to capitalism. :(
"Why should I care about you?"
"But you need me!"
"...Fine."
And then there are cats. Who destroys your favorite tableware? Who scratches all your furniture except the one made specifically for that purpose? Who walks over your keyboard?
"Meow!"
"Oh well, all right then, haha!"