Wildlife Ethics (eBook)

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 vii

Acknowledgments ix

Part 1 the Theory of Wildlife Ethics 1

1 Introduction 3

2 Valuing Wildlife 16

3 The Value of Wildness and Ecosystems 33

4 The Value of Species and Biodiversity 49

5 Valuing Wild Animals as Individuals 63

6 The Role of Ethical Theories 77

7 Wildlife Management and Conservation Models 94

8 Recent Movements in Wildlife Management 112

9 Moral Disagreement about Wildlife 129

Part 2 the Practice of Wildlife Ethics - Case Studies 145

10 Conservation via Commodification: A Legal Trade in Rhino Horn? 147

11 Hyperabundant Native Species: Deer in the Suburbs 160

12 "Invasive" Animals: Predator Free New Zealand 173

13 Indigenous Wildlife Use: Whaling and the Makah People 190

14 Ex situ Conservation: The Giant Panda 203

15 Wildlife Research: Toe- Clipping 216

16 Zoonotic Disease: Bad Bats? 230

17 The Cost of Green Energy: Wildlife and Wind Power 245

18 Climate Change Interventions: Feeding Polar Bears? 258

19 Conclusion: Wildlife Ethics - The Future 270

Index 279

"The way this book is structured - using clear headings and an explanation of ethics that reflect the nuances and complexities of the subject - makes it an excellent resource for students, vets, wildlife managers, policymakers and interested members of the public."
--Justine Shotton, BVA Past President and Head Vet for Wildlife and Exotics, RSPCA, Published in Vet Record (April 2024)

"if you are directly or indirectly interested in wildlife management and conservation and the ethical issues these throw up, rather than consider why you should read this book (or at least make forays into it), I would ask, more importantly, why you wouldn't, appealing as it does to a broad readership in the emerging field of wildlife ethics? It contains so much useful consolidated and clearly worked through background material and sound ethical theory and puts these to work in very practical ways that can be broadened out to be used in numerous other situations ... it will certainly equip you to take an ethical view of potential options and open your mind to wider consequences from the basis of sound contemporary understanding."
--Pete Goddard, Chair of the UK's Wild Animal Welfare Committee, Aberdeenshire, Published in The UFAW Journal (Vol 33/2024)

"... an informative introduction to complex ethical issues, making it significant resource for students and practitioners in fields such diverse fields 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."
--Library Bookwatch, Midwest Book Reviews (Dec 2023)