​Ch. 9 Discussion Questions Wildlife Politics, Values, and Ethics

1. If you were going to try to persuade a governmental organization (e.g., pick a state or Federal wildlife agency) to take action to preserve some species, what values do you think would be more persuasive—intrinsic or instrumental values?  Why? Explain.
2. There are differences in values and priorities among the coalition groups that favors protect biodiversity. Discuss what their different ethical and value preferences. Which set of preferences and values do you most agree with? Why?
3. Some people question the strong anti-invasive species stance of traditional conservationists. What are their arguments? How persuasive do you find their arguments? Explain.
4. If you were a wildlife management professional placed in charge of removing some charismatic species (e.g., wild horses) from an area, what would be your strategy? Explain.
5. Some species such as whales and apes have been portrayed as being close to humans in some of their characteristics and thus should not be consumed.  Do you believe that “closeness” or similarity to humans should affect wildlife conservation policy? Why or why not? Discuss.
6. Survey data suggests that there are differences among states and localities (within the U.S.) and also between nations in their perceptions and valuation of wildlife.  Describe the different value perspectives that humans have towards wildlife using Kellert’s and other analyses.  Then describe what you believe to be the dominant value system that people in an area (that you are familiar with) have towards wildlife.
7. In some major conservation disputes, human economic interests conflict with attempts to conserve biodiversity. Describe one of these conflicts and the positions of the major groups. What was the outcome? What solution would you have proposed to solve this conflict?
8. Attempts to preserve biodiversity in developing areas such as Africa can involve conflict between conservation of wildlife and the interests of poor natives who live near the wildlife. Discuss this conflict. What “solutions” have been sought to mediate this conflict? What do you believe should be the best way to resolve such conflicts?
9. Sometimes there are conflicts between species and attempts to protect one species may harm another species. Discuss such conflicts. How, if at all, did wildlife management professionals deal with these conflicts? What were the deciding factors in the policy ultimately chosen?
10. Discuss the concept of sustainability as it relates to wildlife conservation? Why do some wildlife conservationists criticize this concept? What arguments do its supporters offer? Which argument do you find more persuasive? Why?