IS IT SAD THAT WE HUMANS SO OFTEN DESTROY WHAT WE COVET MOST? [+] serious ballot by mojo created Tue Jan 23, 07 I was Googling down pillows yesterday, and came across this information on a related web site. Eiderdown is the down from the rare Eider duck, a large sea duck whose range includes the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America. Eiderdown is exceptionally soft and has insulating properties superior to any other down. Most eiderdown is gathered from Arctic and sub-Arctic Eider ducks' nests in the wild, especially in Iceland. The female Eider duck plucks down from her breast to line her nest and cover her eggs. The down and eggs are usually repeatedly removed from the nest, killing the unhatched ducklings, until near the end of the season. Then the eggs are left to hatch and the remaining eiderdown gathered after the young leave the nest. More responsible gatherers leave the nests alone until the young leave. Despite this, the frequent invasions of eider nests can result in the inadvertent death of unhatched eggs and ducklings. Furthermore, there is no way to ensure the down was gathered ethically. Eiderdowns' expense limits its use to luxury products, usually expensive quilts and pillows. Many of these birds are endangered as of now. Call me a 'duck-hugger', but I find this sad. Just like the destruction of so many species thanks to our need to adorn ourselves and feel special by killing the exotic and the rare. Yes, sad and ironic. No, who cares? Plenty more ducks in the sea. Ballot #111471 : SEE RESULTS Comment: show your vote with comment?

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