DOCSLIB.ORG

Anti-Hunting Stance E Rebuffed C T by SSAA AUSTRALIA

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

N O AUSTRALIAN SHOOTERS JOURNAL R TheASJ political voice of the SSAA E S P Anti-hunting stance E rebuffed C T by SSAA AUSTRALIA 2018 Vol. 15 Issue 1 www.ssaa.org.auAustralian Shooters Journal 1 Members-only insert to the Australian Shooter In this issue ASJThe political voice of the SSAA Staff CEO-Chief Editor Tim Bannister, Editor Allan Blane, Associate Editor Thomas Cook, Assistant Editor Dave Rose, Chief of Staff Jennifer Martens, Art Director Mike Barr, Production Coordinator Judy Ward, Graphic Designer Natalie Kuhlmann, Communications Officer Sam Talbot, Advertising Representative Karoline Minicozzi, Administration Debbie Wing. PO Box 2520, Unley, SA 5061 3 A message from SSAA National President Geoff Jones Phone: 08 8272 7100 Fax: 08 8272 2945 Internet: www.ssaa.org.au 4 Recreational hunting and animal welfare - An RSPCA Email: [email protected] Australia (mis)information paper Distributed to 191,000 members Australia-wide. The ASJ is owned and published by the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Inc. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy of this Association. Contributions: Freelance contributions are welcome. We do, however, recommend that potential authors contact the office prior to story drafting. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and/or omissions. No text or photographs within the ASJ may be republished, either electronically or in print, without the express written permission of the SSAA. Copyright 2018. The Australian Shooters Journal is published periodically and is printed by Genii, Brookvale, NSW. The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Inc (SSAA Inc) is subject to the provisions of Unrealistic path to utopia the National Privacy Act. We collect personal 14 information from members of the Sporting The Greens’ visceral view of volunteer hunters Shooters’ Association of Australia in the various states and territories. Should you want a copy of the SSAA Inc Privacy Statement or seek further information please write to PO Box 2520, 16 Tackling the feral pest problem head on Unley, SA 5061. See back issues of ASJ at ssaa.org.au/asj 2 Australian Shooters Journal A message from SSAA National President Geoff Jones Regardless of the demands Greens are almost always guilty of this. ethical hunters that way. The only losers of an increasing politically The truth is, the world over, recre- in this sort of ideological contest are our ational hunters have contributed more to wildlife and environment. This contest is correct world, it is sometimes conservation efforts and animal welfare not what SSAA and its members believe difficult to respond politely outcomes than most of the inner-urban in or promote. Our ongoing ‘Be Part of to crass stupidity and blatant armchair do-gooders combined. Some the Solution’ campaign is much more than dishonesty put to the Australian non-hunting conservation groups have cheap rhetoric: it is an opportunity for also had positive effects through their all our members who identify as hunters public as ‘fact’ or ‘research’ efforts however, it is worth noting that to ‘walk the walk’. Whether through our in relation to animal welfare. the principles underlying these successes highly skilled and regulated Conservation When the zealots of fairyland are often so similar to those of hunting and Wildlife Management groups, our groups. Sadly, there are some good and accredited Farmer Assist participants try to denigrate the natural, sensible people in non-hunter groups or just through our individual ethical legitimate and cultural claim whose genuine commitment to wildlife is hunter members, we can and should make human beings have to ethical, devalued and distorted by association with ourselves aware of the truth, take the sustainable and humane the extremists. moral high ground and openly challenge By the same token we should not be the dishonesty every time it is pushed. hunting and harvest of a natural expected to stand idly by while the $5 Legitimate hunters all have a place in resource, their diatribe cannot contributor ‘conservationist’, ‘animal the natural world and, provided we always go unchallenged. rights supporter’ or Greens voter deni- act with integrity and respect for humans grates the real contribution hunters and animals alike, we can and should make to conservation and the dignity of claim that right and not allow ourselves Despite the fact that genuine, peer-re- animals in life or in death. To suggest that to be marginalised by an extreme radical viewed research and hard evidence almost all motor car drivers are deranged and minority whose only weapon is irrational always favours the lawful, ethical hunter, homicidal maniacs just because a small emotion. We will continue to educate the naysayers are undeterred from peddling minority of their number do stupid or groups like the RSPCA about the real role their extreme ideologies and divisive, unre- criminally negligent things, often with hunters play in conservation and call out alistic agendas. The RSPCA is sometimes catastrophic consequences, is equally offensive anti-hunting policies perpetuated unfortunately guilty of this, while The disingenuous or laughable as labelling by groups like The Greens. Australian Shooters Journal 3 10.1 RSPCA Australia is opposed to the hunting of any animal for sport as it causes unnecessary injury, pain, suffering, distress or death to animals involved. 4 Australian Shooters Journal SSAA Farmer Assist program aims to curb malignant ferals Recreational hunting SSAA MEMBERS CAN do their bit to bolster the SSAA Farmer Assist program, which has already made a major impact across the and animal welfare – length and breadth of Australia. An RSPCA Australia (mis)Information Paper The venture seeks to help farmers eradicate rogue and feral pest animals on their properties thanks to volunteer shooters and he information paper released by must follow, hunting organisations also is now fully operational in Queensland, South RSPCA Australia in late 2017 is a have their own which obliges members to Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, New collection of various policies and follow the rules. To make blanket state- South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory statements dating back a number ments that seem to imply the majority of and Victoria. T hunters do the wrong thing and have no of years. This document is littered with emotional terms and statements, precon- regard for animal welfare is somewhat The concept is simple but highly effective ceived notions that the majority of hunters disappointing. Animal rights organisations - SSAA members sign up as shooters to do the wrong thing and don’t take animal have a tendency to make outlandish state- put their skills to use free of charge when welfare seriously and is more or less ments to further their cause, but this is assignments come up at the request of expressed opinion rather than facts. something we shouldn’t expect from the farmers, landowners or managers who are The continual use of the term ‘sport’ RSPCA. also registered. In an attempt to downplay the use of when discussing hunting is rather disin- To become involved you simply fill out recreational hunting as a pest control tool, genuous. The term ‘sport’ in regard to an online enrolment form. Members statements are made that hunting is inef- hunting originates from North America must undertake the firearm proficiency fective at reducing pest populations on a where it was simply used to distinguish requirements and have a digital copy of broad-scale level. The problem with this real hunters (sportsmen) from market or their assessment target available prior to statement is that most hunting occurs at commercial hunters. These days, and in completing the online document. the Australian context, hunting is simply a the local scale (being the property) and is recreational pastime. focused on impact mitigation of the partic- This initial online form only requires contact The opinion that ‘the potential for ular pest animal. For example, hunters information to construct your profile and significant suffering is extremely high’ target foxes through spotlighting activities create a password that will allow you to during hunting activities is exaggerated. during lambing season to improve lambing retrieve your account once established. rates, or target grazing pests at particular The act of hunting in Australia is highly Members must read the Complete Program times to reduce crop damage. Coordinated regulated. There are a number of codes Booklet and be prepared to follow the safety, shooting programs such as those under- of practice (COPs) in place that must be animal welfare and ethical hunting guidelines. followed when hunting. Not only do regu- taken by the SSAA Conservation and latory authorities have COPs that hunters Wildlife Management branches can be Members are required to undertake a self- guided shooting competency test at their local SSAA range using the SSAA Farmer Assist target. If you’re already a member of a Conservation and Wildlife Management Farmers speak about Farmer Assist (CWM) branch you don’t need to take this “We have always found the Farmer Assist shooters extremely test. good, communicative and obliging (and very successful!). They With a completed target in hand you’ll be ready to fill in the signup form and upload ring before they come; and on the way before arrival. They were a digital copy of your target or CWM clean, tidy and left no mess. They camped in our cottage.” membership evidence. Registration is completed by responding to an email from Andrew C, Aramac farmer SSAA Farmer Assist to verify your account. This will let you log in to the Farmer Assist jobs page and start being part of the feral pest solution. For more information visit farmerassist.com.au Australian Shooters Journal 5 Animal rights organisations have a tendency to make outlandish statements to further their cause, but this is something we shouldn’t expect from the RSPCA.
Recommended publications
  • Journal of Animal Law Received Generous Support from the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Michigan State University College of Law

    Journal of Animal Law Received Generous Support from the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Michigan State University College of Law

    JOURNAL OF ANIMAL LAW Michigan State University College of Law APRIL 2009 Volume V J O U R N A L O F A N I M A L L A W Vol. V 2009 EDITORIAL BOARD 2008-2009 Editor-in-Chief ANN A BA UMGR A S Managing Editor JENNIFER BUNKER Articles Editor RA CHEL KRISTOL Executive Editor BRITT A NY PEET Notes & Comments Editor JA NE LI Business Editor MEREDITH SH A R P Associate Editors Tabb Y MCLA IN AKISH A TOWNSEND KA TE KUNK A MA RI A GL A NCY ERIC A ARMSTRONG Faculty Advisor DA VID FA VRE J O U R N A L O F A N I M A L L A W Vol. V 2009 Pee R RE VI E W COMMITT ee 2008-2009 TA IMIE L. BRY A NT DA VID CA SSUTO DA VID FA VRE , CH A IR RE B ECC A J. HUSS PETER SA NKOFF STEVEN M. WISE The Journal of Animal Law received generous support from the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Michigan State University College of Law. Without their generous support, the Journal would not have been able to publish and host its second speaker series. The Journal also is funded by subscription revenues. Subscription requests and article submissions may be sent to: Professor Favre, Journal of Animal Law, Michigan State University College of Law, 368 Law College Building, East Lansing MI 48824. The Journal of Animal Law is published annually by law students at ABA accredited law schools. Membership is open to any law student attending an ABA accredited law college.
  • Sterilization, Hunting and Culling : Combining Management Approaches for Mitigating Suburban Deer Impacts

    Sterilization, Hunting and Culling : Combining Management Approaches for Mitigating Suburban Deer Impacts

    Poster Presentation Sterilization, Hunting and Culling: Combining Management Approaches for Mitigating Suburban Deer Impacts J.R. Boulanger University of North Dakota P.D. Curtis and M.L. Ashdown Cornell University ABSTRACT: Based on decades of growing deer impacts on local biodiversity, agricultural damage, and deer-vehicle collisions, in 2007 we implemented an increasingly aggressive suburban deer research and management program on Cornell University lands in Tompkins County, New York. We initially divided Cornell lands into a suburban core campus area (1,100 acres [4.5 km2]) and adjacent outlying areas that contain lands where deer hunting was permitted (~4,000 acres [16.2 km2]). We attempted to reduce deer numbers by surgically sterilizing deer in the core campus zone and increasing harvest of female deer in the hunting zone through an Earn-a-Buck program. During the first 6 years of this study, project staff spayed 96 female deer (>90% of all deer on campus); 69 adult does were marked with radio transmitters to monitor movements and survival. From 2008 to 2013, hunters harvested >600 deer (69–165 each hunting season). By winter 2013, we stabilized the campus deer herd to approximately 100 animals (57 deer/mi2 [22 deer/km2]), a density much higher than project goals (14 deer/mi2). Although we reduced doe and fawn numbers by approximately 38% and 79%, respectfully, this decrease was offset by an increase in bucks that appeared on camera during our population study. In 2014, we supplemented efforts using deer damage permits (DDP) with archery sharpshooting over bait, and collapsible Clover traps with euthanasia by penetrating captive bolt.
  • Attitudes to Recreational Use of Rural Properties

    Attitudes to Recreational Use of Rural Properties

    Attitudes to recreational use of rural properties A Report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Elaine Barclay October 2004 RIRDC Publication No 04/123 RIRDC Project No UNE-84A INCORPORATING THE FORMER RURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 © 2004 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 031 7 ISSN 1440-6845 Attitudes to recreational use of rural properties Publication No. 04/123 Project No. UNE-84A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Elaine Barclay The Institute for Rural Futures, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Phone: (02) 67735141 Fax: (02) 67733245 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in October 2004 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword Attitudes of landholders are of fundamental importance in determining the area available to the general public for outdoor recreation.
  • Megafauna in a Continent of Small Game: Archaeological Implications of Martu Camel Hunting in Australia’S Western Desert

    Megafauna in a Continent of Small Game: Archaeological Implications of Martu Camel Hunting in Australia’S Western Desert

    Quaternary International 297 (2013) 155e166 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Quaternary International journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/quaint Megafauna in a continent of small game: Archaeological implications of Martu Camel hunting in Australia’s Western Desert Douglas W. Bird a,*, Brian F. Codding b, Rebecca Bliege Bird a, David W. Zeanah c, Curtis J. Taylor d a Department of Anthropology, Stanford University, Bldg. 50, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, USA b Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, 270 S. 1400 E., Rm. 102, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA c Department of Anthropology, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA d Parnngurr Aboriginal Community, LMB 598, Newman, WA 6753, Australia article info abstract Article history: Archaeologists often assume that large ungulates are inherently highly ranked prey because of their size, Available online 14 January 2013 especially attractive to hunters using sophisticated capture technologies common after the late Pleis- tocene. Between 1840 and 1907, over 10,000 dromedary camels were imported to Australia, and today feral populations number well over a million. Although contemporary Aboriginal hunters in Australia’‘s Western and Central Deserts regularly encounter camels, they rarely pursue them. We present data on camel encounter and pursuit rates, with comparisons of energetic search and handling efficiency relative to other foraging options among Martu, the Traditional Owners of a large region of the Western Desert. We then explore some hypotheses concerning the determinants of prey rank and the technological and social contexts that influence resource value. In some respects the case runs counter to common ex- pectations about hunting large ungulates, and highlights the special kinds of opportunity costs that large game acquisition might entail in many contexts.
  • Fast Facts on Canada's Commercial Seal Hunt

    Fast Facts on Canada's Commercial Seal Hunt

    Fast Facts on Canada's Commercial Seal Hunt About the Hunt: Canada's commercial seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on Earth. In just 10 years, over two million seals have been killed for their fur. This does not include the tens of thousands of injured seals who have died below the ice. 97 percent of the seals killed in the past 10 years have been less than three months of age. Many of these defenseless seals did not yet know how to swim. In 2001, an independent veterinary panel concluded that the seal hunt results in considerable and unacceptable suffering. They noted that in 42 percent of the seals examined there was not enough evidence of cranial injury to even guarantee unconsciousness at the time of skinning. Harp seals rely on sea ice to give birth to and nurse their pups and they need the ice to remain intact until the pups are strong enough to survive in open water. Climate change has caused sea ice to diminish at an alarming rate off Canada’s east coast in the harp seal birthing grounds. Sea ice formation has been well below average for each of the past 15 years, with 2010 having the lowest sea ice formation on record. The Canadian government has estimated up to 100% mortality in harp seal birthing areas when the sea ice did not form or melted too early in the season. Despite this, the Canadian government continues to authorize massive harp seal quotas each year. The Humane Society of the United States takes no issue with subsistence seal hunting by aboriginal people.
  • The Analysis of Production and Culling Rate with Regard to the Profitability in a Dairy Herd

    The Analysis of Production and Culling Rate with Regard to the Profitability in a Dairy Herd

    ADVANCED RESEARCH IN LIFE SCIENCES 1(1), 2017, 48-52 www.degruyter.com/view/j/arls DOI: 10.1515/arls-2017-0008 Research Article The Analysis of Production and Culling Rate With Regard to the Profitability in a Dairy Herd József Horváth*, Zsanett Tóth, Edit Mikó University of Szeged, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Economics and Rural Development and Institute of Animal Sciences and Wildlife Management, Hungary Accepted June, 2017 Abstract As milk prices move away from production costs, dairy farms are under increased pressure to find ways to protect profitability on the farm. Producers have some problems that they can improve. Improve the milk production, produce more milk to sell focused on quality (reduce the amount of high level of somatic cell count). The deterioration of animal health status (lameness, mastitis and different metabolic disorders) can have a serious impact on cow productivity, causing pain and discomfort, production losses and might result in a decision to cull the animal. Improving herd reproductive performance is an important aspect of profitable farm management. The aim of this work is to analyse milk production, reasons of culling and culling rate in different lactation on a dairy cattle farm. Key words: dairy cow economy, culling rate, productive lifetime, break-even point. Introduction replacement heifers. Furthermore, it allows cows In the dairy cattle breeding the longevity of cows to achieve maximum milk yield and increases the and reasons for culling are serious research proportion of higher yielding cows in the herd. [3] problems. The profitability of the dairy herd Culling of dairy cows is a serious economic depends on milk the yield of lactation and the decision.
  • BREEDING KOI in the CITY by Douglas Dahl 2002 Update to Article Printed in Vol 22, Issue 5 in KOIUSA in 1998

    BREEDING KOI in the CITY by Douglas Dahl 2002 Update to Article Printed in Vol 22, Issue 5 in KOIUSA in 1998

    BREEDING KOI IN THE CITY by Douglas Dahl 2002 update to article printed in Vol 22, Issue 5 in KOIUSA in 1998 Why do you want to breed koi, I ask? You could respond "imported koi are too expensive", or "you want to learn how they change so you can purchase baby koi with more confidence" or "you are just bored and want to try it". This discussion addresses city breeding. Country or farm breeding can be a very different process in many ways due to available growing ponds and I leave that discussion to the professionals. What is Needed My experience in city breeding suggests the following list of needed items: 800 gallon tank or pond for breeding (use as medical tank when not breeding) 3000 gallon tank or pond to grow some of the baby koi for 1 year separate small tank or pond area to rest the female after breeding and for culling working filter for both the 800 and 3000 gallon tanks or ponds if they are close together submersible pump with strainer on intake (18" drilled PVC tube surrounded by foam 6x6x18) 1/6 hp pump for the 3000 gallon system Air pump and air stones for breeding tank GFI electrical outlets for all pumps Net to cover breeding tank to keep breeding fish in Brine shrimp jugs, air system and light for food breeding Several kinds of food (to be described later) Net, tub, plastic bags to transport breeders and catch babies Ammonia and nitrite test kits Source of de chlorinated water (3000 gallon tank while 800 gallon tank in use) Breeding media (hyacinth plants, podocarpus branches, mop heads, breeding nets) About $1500 to spare for expenses Strong back and strong stomach HARD HEART FOR CULLING Someone to feed the babies every 3-4 hours during the day Timing, Romance and Birth The time to prepare for breeding is one month before pond water reaches 70 degrees F.
  • New Animal Products

    New Animal Products

    RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002 - 2003 and Research in Progress as at June 2003 Sub Program 1.2 NEW ANIMAL PRODUCTS July 2003 RIRDC Publication No 03/59 © 2003 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0 642 5862 8 ISSN 1440 6845 "RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002 - 2003 and Research in Progress as at June 2003 - 1.2 New Animal Products" Publication No 03/059 The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquires concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. RIRDC New Animal Products Research Manager Dr Peter McInnes RIRDC Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 08 8556 7331 Fax: 08 8556 7289 Email: [email protected] RIRDC Publications Manager Cecile Ferguson Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 3186 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in July 2003 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint Foreword The following report contains all entries from continuing and completed New Animal Products research projects funded by RIRDC.
  • Coexisting with Deer an Advocate’S Guide for Preventing Deer Culls in Your Community

    Coexisting with Deer an Advocate’S Guide for Preventing Deer Culls in Your Community

    Coexisting with Deer An advocate’s guide for preventing deer culls in your community How to use this toolkit We fight the big fight for all animals, but we can’t do it without your help. This toolkit is designed to add power to your passion; to enable you to be the most effective advocate for the deer in your community. Suburban development has created an environment in which deer thrive; our backyards provide the “edge” habitat (where forest meets field) they prefer, offering ample supply of food and water. Access to abundant resources leads to healthy deer and higher reproductive rates, and as deer populations increase, so too do deer-human conflicts. The result too often is an assumption that there are “too many deer” and a call for lethal control. This toolkit is designed to empower advocates like you to take action, be it against planned lethal measures, or proactively encouraging the adoption of a humane deer management plan. It’s often thought that the voice of a large, national organization is enough, but the voice of a constituent – yours! – is actually the most powerful tool in the fight for the welfare of deer in your community. Local decision-makers want to hear from you, not an outsider. A groundswell of local opposition to a deer cull, or in support of a humane deer management plan, has the greatest impact. This toolkit will provide guidance on how best to voice your opinion, and how to inspire others to do the same. The toolkit is organized as follows: o Learn the issue: Knowing more about the types of conflicts your community may be having with deer can help you better understand how to address them humanely.
  • The Use of Animals in Sports

    The Use of Animals in Sports

    Existence, Breeding, a,nd Rights: The Use of Animals in Sports Donald Scherer Bowling Green State University Against these lines of argument one frequently encounters a certain objection. It is argued that since the animals for fighting, hunting and racing exist only because they have been bred for such human uses, human beings are justified in so treating them. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate this line ofobjection, or to speak more precisely, to evaluate the two distinct objections implicit in this line. For the objection may be either that (l) the present uses of the animals are justified because they are better for the animals than the Standardly, philosophical arguments about the alternative, namely non-existence, or that quality of treatment human beings owe nonhuman animals! rest on two bases. Peter Singer is famous (2) breeding an animal for a purpose gives the for arguing from the capacity of animals to feel pain breeders (transferable) rights over what they to the conclusion that since almost none of the pain have bred. human beings cause animals is necessary, almost none of it is morally justifiable (Singer, 1989, pp. 78-79). I shall pursue these alternatives sequentially. Singer rests his case on the premise that who suffers pain does not affect the badness of the suffering, so The Value of Existence that, without strong justification, the infliction of pain is universally wrong (Ibid., pp. 77-78). Tom Regan is The strength ofthe first form ofthe objection rests on equally famous for his argument that the beliefs and a common intuition comparing the values of existence desires which normal one year-old mammals clearly and non-existence.
  • Killing Wildlife: the Pr...Cons of Culling Animals

    Killing Wildlife: the Pr...Cons of Culling Animals

    Advertisement Daily News The Magazine Maps Science Education Games Events Blogs Movies Explorers Apps Trips National Geographic Daily News Killing Wildlife: The Pros and Cons of Culling Animals Is targeting species like badgers, swans, and deer effective? And is it ethical? A badger looks for food at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey. The animals are considered a risk to cattle because they may transmit bovine tuberculosis. PHOTOGRAPH BY STEFAN WERMUTH, REUTERS By Will James for National Geographic PUBLISHED MARCH 5, 2014 Last fall, the U.K.'s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs targeted badgers for culling—the selective killing of a species as a population control measure. Badgers reportedly transmit bovine tuberculosis, a disease with a profound economic impact on farmers whose cows test positive. But a recent report by an independent panel leaked by the BBC said the culls failed in efficacy and humaneness. (Related: "Mr. Badger Should Be Worried: Britain Ponders a Cull.") Proposed culls have made headlines in the United States as well. Wildlife managers have targeted bison in Montana and swans, geese, and deer in New York. What's driving these high-profile culling programs? Are they necessary? Can they be done ethically? And what's at the heart of the debate between their proponents and their detractors? We explored the controversy over culling with Mary Pearl, a conservationist with the City University of New York who formerly served as president of the Wildlife Trust, a nonprofit organization now called EcoHealth Alliance. Wildlife culls have been in the news a lot lately. Is this a new practice? I would say nature has been a culler, in the past, of wildlife species.
  • Wild Animal Welfare: Management of Wildlife Lecture Notes

    Wild Animal Welfare: Management of Wildlife Lecture Notes

    Module 21 Wild Animal Welfare: Management of Wildlife Lecture Notes Slide 1: This lecture was first developed for World Animal Protection by Dr Christine Leeb (University of Bristol) in 2003 and updated by Dr Matt Leach (University of Bristol) in 2007. It was revised by World Animal Protection scientific advisors in 2012 using updates provided by Dr Caroline Hewson. Slide 2: Today’s lecture introduces you to some of the biggest welfare issues affecting wildlife. We will concentrate on the main issues affecting free-living wildlife, and then focus on the welfare of captive wildlife. We will also touch on some ways that the welfare issues concerned might be resolved. Slide 3: In this module, we define a wild animal as: a free-living or captive animal from a species that typically lives without human intervention, and whose parents and forebears were not selectively bred for docility or ease of handling. As with other species, our concern for the welfare of wild animals concerns their physical functioning, their mental state/feelings and the performance of behaviours that are important to them. Typically welfare concerns revolve around birds and terrestrial vertebrates. However, note that all vertebrates are sentient, including fish, and that many invertebrates are likely to be sentient too or, at least, to be able to suffer pain. When we consider wild animals within the common ethical frameworks, respect for nature is commonly invoked by conservationists. That framework places more emphasis on the continuing welfare of the species as a whole, such that the functioning, feelings and behavioural aspects of an individual’s experience may be subordinated to the collective feelings, functioning and continued natural behaviour of the species and, perhaps, the wider ecosystem.