Jamaicans now Eating Sly Mongoose as Chicken Back shortage Gets closer to Christmas

“They serve a purpose in our marine ecosystems. Being scavengers, they help with the health of our marine systems, which impacts the fish that we like to eat in Jamaica” 

NEPA Environmental Officer, Monique Curtis warning Jamaican not to Eat Crocodiles

First it was Crocodile Meat that was on the menu in Jamaica resulting in NEPA (National Environmental and Planning Agency) warning the public not to eat them as stated in Don't eat crocodiles, NEPA cautions, published Thursday, September 19, 2013 12:55 PM, The Jamaica Observer and “NEPA Warns Public Against Killing And Eating Crocodiles”, Published Thursday September 19, 2013 9:54 am, The Jamaica Gleaner.

Now we’re apparently putting the “sly Mongoose” on the menu as well, leaving NEPA in a quandary as the Mongoose isn’t endangered. 

But the Mongoose does present a Health Problem as Mongoose carry a variety of diseases, including Leptospirosis as stated in the article “Don't eat them! Authorities warn against mongoose consumption”, published October 18, 2013 by SHELDON WILLIAMS, Staff Reporter, The Jamaica Star.

Imports from India during slavery times to Rats, the main reason they were brought to Jamaica, they also eat the Yellow Snake as well, being used to a diet of Cobras in India! That’s why the Yellow Snake is also on the endangered list. Add to that too the Coney, the Leatherback and the Manatee, albeit not because of the Mongoose but again because of Mans’ desire to possess the virility that eating these animals is said to impart!

For those who’ve never seen a Mongoose, there’s one at the Hope Zoo in Hope Gardens…..assuming he’s not on the Hope Zoo’s menu!

Crocodile vs Mongoose – Endangered and Tasty as Chicken Back Shortages continue

Crocodiles are an endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act (1971); if you're caught with one, living or dead, that’s an instant JA$100,000 fine and/or a prison term of up to two years as stated in “Jamaicans Warned Against Capturing and Eating Crocodiles”, published WEDNESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2013 17:11 by E. Hartman Reckord, The Jamaica Information Service.

They’re not man-eaters like most Jamaican women either, as they’re shy and prefer to eat fish. However, Jamaican Males, concerned about bring back life to the dead, mainly their virility, have made a meal of their Meat and Eggs, particularly their Tails whether Curried, barbecued or jerked as stated in “PHOTOS: Secret Crocodile-Eating Parties, Poachers, Threatening Reptile's Existence In Jamaica” Published Monday October 7, 2013 12:03 pm, The Jamaica Gleaner.

News of our taste for crocodiles has even reached abroad, as concerns abound that our love for eating the reptile and its eggs may place the animal back on the World Endangered Species list as stated in the article “Fears Jamaica's taste for crocodile meat and eggs could wipe out reptiles”, published 07 Oct 2013 1:01AM BST, The UK Telegraph.

Not surprising as Jamaica is currently undergoing a Chicken back shortage as stated in the article “CHICKEN BACK SHORTAGE HURTS VENDORS”, published August 15 2013 by Diandra Grandison, Staff Reporter, The Jamaica Star and “No end in sight to chicken back shortage”, published Friday August 9, 2013 7:03 am, published, RJR News Online among the Rural Poor that still can’t afford Oxtail or Pork, putting these animals on the menu as alternatives! Who knows, maybe Lucas the Lion at Hope Zoo is next!

Our taste for Crocodiles isn’t a recent development. We’ve been munching on them since 2010, when The Jamaica Star first brought the practice to light in the article “JAMAICANS CHEW INTO CROC TAIL”, published September 23 2010 by CRYSTAL HARRISON, STAR Writer, The Jamaica Star.

Apparently we like them, Jerked, Curried and even Barbeque. Delicious, I assume, as I’m from Milk River, Clarendon and I’ve heard of (but never been to) one of these parties where these Animals are a hidden entrée on the nights menu at a Setup or Dance held by a prominent Community member!

Family and Community Gardens – Grow what we Eat this Christmas to reduce Import Bill

Since it’s apparent we have an insatiable love for Crocodiles, Mongoose and foreign foods, most of which can be grown in Jamaica based on our massive Food Import Bill of almost US$1 billion, Family and Community Gardens present themselves again as a ready solution. Suitable for both Urban and Rural Areas, they’re sustainable and easily to construct and maintain as they’ll make many Inner City and Rural Communities self sufficient in terms of their Food consumption.

Jamaica already uses Excess Eggs and Waste Fruit to make a Butter substitute and Fruit puree for the School Feeding program as explained in my blog article entitled “Ministry of Agriculture to approve Fruit and Liquified Eggs for School Feeding Program even as Pork faces Glut - How Solar Farming will make Jamaica's Food Security Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”.

Rooftop Gardens are especially suitable as they can be made from Glass Bottles and arranged to grow atop the Zinc Rooftops of many Inner-city communities, saving on land space as explained in my blog article entitled “How to Cut Glass Bottles and make your own Rooftop Garden made up of Wick-Based Hydroponic Gardening System - More uses for the Distilled Water from the Fresnel based Solar Desalinator”.

Now this same strategy needs to be employed to feed our nation, as it’s becoming apparent food shortages will worsen during Christmas 2013, making every animal a possible candidate to replace the traditional Chicken that not only short but now too expensive to afford. My parents who live in Milk River, Clarendon, have long practiced self sufficiency, growing most of what they eat at home and thus reducing their need to buy food from the Supermarket to eat.

I myself have stopped going to the Supermarket, instead going Downtown to Coronation Market to haggle with the best of them for the Fruits and Vegetables which are not only organically grown but much better for you. I’ve stopped eating a lot of the Processed Food in Tins and Fast Food, instead relying on Farm grown produce, using my eyes and hands to discern good from bad among the Vendors downtown. In short, it’s back to not only Basics, but also to food I can prepare myself and control the taste!

The trick of course as a shopper, is to simply get the phone number of your favourite Vendor, thus making it possible to call ahead of time and reserve your produce. Look at it this way: eventually when they get Bank Accounts and Mobile Money Accounts as well as a Website (it is possible you know!) as described in my blog article entitled “How Jamaicans can set up a Payment Gateway in order to process Credit Card purchases - E-Commerce the main Catalyst for Increasing Jamaica's Internet Penetration”, shopping Downtown online may become as convenient a reality as going to the Supermarket! But that’s in the distant future!

“Eat What we Grow” doesn’t mean to wait on the GOJ to get the Jamaica Agriculture Sector organized enough to grow crops on demand instead of creating glut and shortages when the demand changes. Rather, like many Jamaicans that have already signed up to Farmville Jamaica to grow their own Food organically as stated in my Geezam blog article entitled “Farmville Jamaica Live heralds the rise of Social Farming”, we have to grow our own food.

If not, then Sly Mongoose and Bro Crocodile may well be extinct in the next few years as the ongoing effects of the Recession affects those living in the Rural areas of Jamaica the most! So please don’t Eat me, as I’m a Deer!