Improving Interactions between Animal Rights Groups and Conservation Biologists

Abstract

Invasive species are often considered to be a major threat to biodiversity, leading conservation biologists to often recommend their complete eradication. Animal rights groups typically categorically oppose killing animals, and their opposition has brought eradication attempts of gray squirrels in northern Italy (Europe) and mute swans in Vermont to a halt. As a result native red squirrels may disappear from Europe and ecosystem-wide impacts are expected to be caused by the swan. In contrast, cooperation between managers and animal rights groups has resulted in a successful control program for feral pigs in Fort Worth, Texas (U.S.A.). The philosophical differences between animal rights and conservation biologists' views make cooperation seem unlikely, yet documented cases of cooperation have been beneficial for both groups. We recommend that managers dealing with invasive species should consult with social scientists and ethicists to gain a better understanding of the implications of some of their policy decisions. In addition, we recommend that animal rights groups do more to support alternatives to lethal control, which are often excluded by economic limitations. Prevention of arrival of invasive species via application of the precautionary principle may be an especially productive avenue for such collaboration because it fits the goals and values of both groups.

Impacts of biological invasions: what's what and the way forward

“…It comes with incentives to kill organisms solely because of the 'potential' problems that they could pose. These can be sentient beings for which one might have ethical concerns [72]. It reduces people's freedom to keep non-native plants and animals.…”

“…This triangle can be 'squared' by adding a fourth corner, surely under-represented, of biocentrists, who care for every individual living being, sentient or not. It would be vain for scientists to try to settle such a debate, but anyone engaged in invasion management should pay attention to these underlying ethical issues [72].…”

Biological invasions in developing and developed countries: does one model fit all?

“…For example, the presence of other organizations of concerned citizens like animal rights activists that have been shown, in particular cases, to impede or delay the control and management of exotic invasive species (Bertolino and Genovesi 2003;Genovesi 2005;Perry and Perry 2008).…”

An Evaluation of Feral Cat Management Options Using a Decision Analysis Network

“…Through the adoption and use of this BBN, communities can help to improve its predictive power while addressing the priorities of the public. Conflict between animal rights groups and conservation biologists has prevented the effective management of a number of invasive species (Perry and Perry 2008); it is our hope that this decision network will help those faced with making these challenging decisions to choose the optimal strategy for the management of local feral cat populations.…”