Journal article
Opposing Lethal Wildlife Research When Non-Leathal Methods Exist: Scientific Whaling as a Case Study
Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, Vol.7(1), pp.231-236
2016
Abstract
As our understanding of sentience in certain wildlife species grows, and technological advancements promote non-lethal data collection, we believe that we ought to adjust our field methods to incorporate a regime of best practice that prioritizes non-lethal methodologies over inhumane methods of lethal sampling. In addition, progress already made towards non-lethal methodologies in wildlife research needs to be promoted widely. In this paper, we examine whether lethal methods of whale research, using Japanese lethal scientific whaling as a case study, are ethical when the scientific information can be gained from non-lethal methods, and humane methods of killing are not available. As a part of a simple ethical decision-making model, we explore if a requirement for 'refinement' of scientific technique (sensu Russell & Burch 1959; three Rs), promoted extensively for laboratory-based animal experimentation, has direct applicability to scientific research involving free-living wildlife. We argue that 'refinement' is an appropriate ethical principle in all cases where scientific research involves a choice between non-lethal sampling and the deliberate killing of free-living wildlife for scientific purposes. We conclude that the welfare of individual animals and the conservation of free-living wildlife populations are both worthy of moral consideration and need not be incompatible in humane wildlife research and management.
Details
- Title
- Opposing Lethal Wildlife Research When Non-Leathal Methods Exist: Scientific Whaling as a Case Study
- Authors
- Courtney Waugh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringVaughan Monamy (Author) - Australian Catholic University
- Publication details
- Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, Vol.7(1), pp.231-236
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.3996/072015-JFWM-061
- ISSN
- 1944-687X
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Reproduced with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450095902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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