Ethical Considerations in Wildlife Management
In essence, ethics are fundamental to the issue of wildlife management and will significantly determine the need for people and animals. How best to manage the wildlife populations and conserve habitats as well as managing conflicts over time are always decision-related issues. In the case of bears and other large predators, this does sometimes raise tough questions from an ethical standpoint, including whether to relocate an animal that poses a threat to human safety or leaving an animal in place where it may encounter harm.
One ethical consideration is the principle of non-interference, which states that humans should reduce their impact on natural ecosystems and allow wildlife to live as they would in nature. This principle advocates for the protection of animals’ habitats and their autonomy in the wild. However, when animals like bears begin to venture into human-populated areas, this principle may conflict with the need to protect human lives and property.
Balancing animal rights protection with human safety, finding non-lethal deterrence methods to prevent animals from entering populated areas by installing bear-proof fences or noise deterrents, although in some situations the animal is relocated to prevent harm, all being a very sensitive decision and taken after careful consideration of the well-being of the animal and the possibility of its survival in a new environment.
