The killing of wildlife:

A proposal for an ethical framework

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
A Confession

Photo: BBC

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 Outline
Anthropogenic change and its effect on
wildlife
Intervention to protect economic interests
Protection of a sort
The welfare of killing
What of the citizen?
Muddled thinking
An ethical framework
Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 Anthropogenic Change
Sustained human activity has altered the
environment:
No substantial part of the landscape is unchanged.
Applies to all land use.

Substantial anthropogenic change can lead

to extirpation
Change can increase relative abundance
Keeping of livestock and poultry is attractive to carnivores
Cultivation and storage of grain provides food for rodents and birds

Economic loss may be sustained.

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 Intervention
Non-lethal intervention:
Securing grain stores
Bird scaring
Fencing and housing of livestock

Often: trapping, shooting or poisoning.

Implications for survival and welfare of species

involved

Extirpation or reduction in abundance

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
The welfare of killing -
double-standards?

Photo: RSPB Photo: www.oldtrapcollector.com

Photo: Sebastian Benner Photo: www.mrmoleman.co.uk

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 Three easy steps
A problem is identified e.g. a
reduction in the average number
of lambs produced per ewe.
A species is identified as the
'culprit'.
The culprit is trapped, shot or
poisoned.

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
A particularly egregious example

Photo: BAWC
We conclude that there is no compelling evidence base to
suggest culling mountain hares might increase red grouse
densities.
(Harrison and others, 2010)
Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 Protection
Some is comprehensive and effective.....
Birds of Prey Bats

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 Protection
....while some is a mish-mash

Photo: The Carrs Wetland Project

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 What of the citizen?
Successful campaigning:
Proscription of certain killing methods
Species protection
Conservation and reserves
However, little or no influence over the
unprotected species, welfare, etc.
No consensus achieved over protection or
welfare
Inconsistency of attitude:
Too cute to kill/Too ugly to care?
Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
Muddled Thinking

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
Further muddled thinking

Photo: ww.instructables.com

Photo: www.overthecounter.cc/

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
 An Ethical Framework
Similar to that applied to experimental animals

For lethal intervention to be sanctioned, the minimum is:

evidence demonstrating the species in question was
the cause of the economic loss, damage, disease, etc,
cost-benefit analysis of intervention including likely
effects on the population and environmental impact.
cost-benefit analysis of appropriate changes to the
affected business.
consideration of the species value to society.
acceptable welfare standards.

Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016
When I consider that the nobler animal have been exterminated here - the cougar, the
panther, lynx, wolverine, wolf, bear, moose, deer, the beaver, the turkey and so forth and
so forth, I cannot but feel as if I lived in a tamed and, as it were, emasculated country. I
should not like to think that some demigod had come before me and picked out some of
the best of the stars. I wish to know an entire heaven and an entire earth.
(Thoreau, 1861)
Alick Simmons
Too Cute to Kill Workshop
Surrey University, 21-22 July 2016