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International consensus principles for ethical wildlife control
Author(s) -
Dubois Sara,
Fenwick Nicole,
Ryan Erin A.,
Baker Liv,
Baker Sandra E.,
Beausoleil Ngaio J.,
Carter Scott,
Cartwright Barbara,
Costa Federico,
Draper Chris,
Griffin John,
Grogan Adam,
Howald Gregg,
Jones Bidda,
Littin Kate E.,
Lombard Amanda T.,
Mellor David J.,
Ramp Daniel,
Schuppli Catherine A.,
Fraser David
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1111/cobi.12896
Subject(s) - wildlife , livelihood , environmental planning , environmental resource management , animal welfare , control (management) , wildlife conservation , wildlife management , value (mathematics) , political science , business , public relations , geography , ecology , computer science , agriculture , biology , environmental science , archaeology , artificial intelligence , machine learning
Human–wildlife conflicts are commonly addressed by excluding, relocating, or lethally controlling animals with the goal of preserving public health and safety, protecting property, or conserving other valued wildlife. However, declining wildlife populations, a lack of efficacy of control methods in achieving desired outcomes, and changes in how people value animals have triggered widespread acknowledgment of the need for ethical and evidence‐based approaches to managing such conflicts. We explored international perspectives on and experiences with human–wildlife conflicts to develop principles for ethical wildlife control. A diverse panel of 20 experts convened at a 2‐day workshop and developed the principles through a facilitated engagement process and discussion. They determined that efforts to control wildlife should begin wherever possible by altering the human practices that cause human–wildlife conflict and by developing a culture of coexistence; be justified by evidence that significant harms are being caused to people, property, livelihoods, ecosystems, and/or other animals; have measurable outcome‐based objectives that are clear, achievable, monitored, and adaptive; predictably minimize animal welfare harms to the fewest number of animals; be informed by community values as well as scientific, technical, and practical information; be integrated into plans for systematic long‐term management; and be based on the specifics of the situation rather than negative labels (pest, overabundant) applied to the target species. We recommend that these principles guide development of international, national, and local standards and control decisions and implementation.