Wildlife Ethics The Ethics of Wildlife Management and Conservation

A systematic account of the ethical issues related to wildlife management and conservation

Wildlife Ethics is the first systematic, book-length discussion of the ethics of wildlife conservation and management, and examines the key ethical questions and controversies. Tackling both theory and practice, the text is divided into two parts. The first describes key concepts, ethical theories, and management models relating to wildlife; the second puts these concepts, theories, and models to work, illustrating their significance through detailed case studies on controversies in wildlife management and conservation.

The book explores pressing topics including human responsibilities due to climate change, tradeoffs when managing zoonotic disease risks, the ethics of the wildlife trade, culling non-native species, indigenous wildlife use, and zoo-based conservation programs. Readers are encouraged to explore different ways of valuing wild animals and their practical implications.

This essential text:

• Explains and explores relationships between valuing biodiversity, human utility, ecosystems, species, and animal welfare
• Describes established approaches to wildlife management, such as sustainable use, and emerging concepts, such as compassionate conservation
• Discusses key ethical theories, including utilitarianism, ecocentrism, and animal rights
• Offers a practical model of how to analyze ethical issues in wildlife management and conservation

Wildlife Ethics: The Ethics of Wildlife Management and Conservation is an accessible introduction to complex ethical issues, making the book an important resource for students in fields such as conservation biology, ecology, environmental science and policy, game management, public health and veterinary medicine. It will also be an invaluable tool for wildlife managers, conservationists, One Health practitioners, practicing veterinarians and animal rehabilitation staff, contemporary wildlife professionals and other stakeholders.

The Authors

Clare Palmer is the George T. and Gladys H. Abell Professor of Liberal Arts & Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy at Texas A&M University in the USA.

Bob Fischer is Associate Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy at Texas State University in the USA.

Christian Gamborg is Associate Professor in the Department of Food and Resource Economics at University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

Jordan Hampton is a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, an Adjunct Lecturer at Murdoch University, and a Consultant Veterinarian for Ecotone Wildlife, all in Australia.

Peter Sandøe is Professor of Bioethics at the Department of Food and Resource Economics and Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

Foreword            2

Acknowledgements        3

PART 1: THE THEORY OF WILDLIFE ETHICS             5

1: Introduction  6

2: Valuing Wildlife            17

3: The Value of Wildness and Ecosystems              32

4: The Value of Species and Biodiversity 46

5: Valuing Wild Animals as Individuals     59

6: The Role of Ethical Theories   70

7: Wildlife Management and Conservation Models           84

8: Recent Movements in Wildlife Management  100

9: Moral Disagreement about Wildlife     115

PART 2: THE PRACTICE OF WILDLIFE ETHICS – CASE STUDIES         127

10: Conservation via Commodification: A Legal Trade in Rhino Horn?        128

11: Hyperabundant Native Species: Deer in the Suburbs 139

12: ‘Invasive’ Animals: Predator Free New Zealand            151

13: Indigenous Wildlife Use: Whaling and the Makah People        167

14: Ex situ Conservation: The Giant Panda             178

15: Wildlife Research: Toe-Clipping          189

16: Zoonotic Disease: Bad Bats? 201

17: The Cost of Green Energy: Wildlife and Wind Power 214

18: Climate Change Interventions: Feeding Polar Bears? 225

19: Conclusion: Wildlife Ethics – the Future          235

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