SIR – Jon Burgess (Letters, Worcester News, October 16) appears to have a lack of understanding about the use of simile and metaphor.

I said that his views were like that of a religious extremist.

I also said that one could be classed as arrogant and deluded for thinking that man is not responsible for the extinction of wild animals.

The latter was not a personal attack.

I don’t understand why Mr Burgess is talking about the natural predators of deer?

I originally asked him the question as to why he should support the shooting of geese because of their behaviour, ie defecating on a golf course.

This has nothing to do with conservation.

Mr Burgess has once again scooted around my question by justifying man’s intervention on the countryside and how geese affect other vulnerable species who need protecting within their habitat.

This is not what happened at Bransford at all.

The golf club’s “marksmen” (you know, the people that leave guns lying around) shot the geese for using the golf course as a toilet.

Simple! Is this right or wrong?

I do agree that man has intervened with the countryside for many years. Conservation is a good thing.

However, I don’t agree that controlling animal numbers is true conservation.

It also appears that Mr Burgess is doing his usual trick by going off the subject: My answer to his question is “death by starvation”.

It may not be classed as being the most humane way for any animal to die but this is what happens in nature – survival of the fittest.

Animals are also targeted by their predators.

This is natural too.

Being shot by a gun and dying an unnatural, painful death is far worse than anything that nature will ever contribute to.

Who are we to decide why and when a wild animal should live?

Who appointed us to do that job in the first place?

Why do we consider ourselves to be better than animals just because our brains have developed way beyond our means?

There have been discussions that the bear, lynx and wolf may be reintroduced back into our countryside.

Apart from the small space in our island, I for one would welcome such projects.

The ecosystem will therefore remain natural.

Simon McCullough

Worcester