Wildlife Ethics: A Systematic Account of Conservation and Management

By Clare Palmer, “Wildlife Ethics” is a groundbreaking book that delves into the complex ethical issues surrounding wildlife management and conservation. As the first comprehensive, book-length discussion on the subject, it provides a thorough examination of the key ethical questions and controversies in the field.

Understanding Wildlife Ethics: Theory and Practice

The book is divided into two parts, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of wildlife ethics. The first part introduces key concepts, ethical theories, and management models related to wildlife, while the second part applies these principles to real-world case studies, highlighting their significance in addressing pressing controversies in wildlife management and conservation.

Exploring Pressing Topics in Wildlife Ethics

The book tackles a range of critical topics, including:

• Human responsibilities in the face of climate change
• Tradeoffs in managing zoonotic disease risks
• The ethics of the wildlife trade
• Culling non-native species
• Indigenous wildlife use
• Zoo-based conservation programs

Readers are encouraged to explore different ways of valuing wild animals and their practical implications, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between biodiversity, human utility, ecosystems, species, and animal welfare.

A Practical Guide to Wildlife Ethics

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, like 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 is an accessible introduction to complex ethical issues, making it an important resource for:

• Students in conservation biology, ecology, environmental science and policy, game management, public health, and veterinary medicine
• Wildlife managers, conservationists, One Health practitioners, practicing veterinarians, and animal rehabilitation staff
• Contemporary wildlife professionals and other stakeholders