Daily Devotional – July 18

Biblical Accuracy

Did you realize that North American alligator almost went extinct in the 1960s? In response to this situation, alligators were put on the endangered species list in 1967. But this alone did not help in saving them as their numbers continued to decrease. Then an interesting plan was set in place – alligator farms! Alligator farmers started going out into the wild to collect alligator eggs. They raised these gators in captivity for two years and promised to return 20% of the adults back into the wild. The remaining 80% were sold for hides and meat. The result, alligator meat and hides became less expensive – making poaching unprofitable.

The alligator population has increased to such an extent, today that today they are off the endangered species list. God has called us to manage and care for His Earth, and He created mankind in His image – with the creativity to do just that. Who would have thought of saving alligators through farming?

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

~ Genesis 1:28

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett

References for this devotional.