Welcome back! In this series, we will be exploring the links between animal welfare and environmental concerns such as biodiversity loss. First up, the conflict between both elements of interest.
I must admit that prior to discovering this topic, I actually thought that both terms were used interchangeably! According to a study (Fulton & Ford, 2002) animal welfare deals with individual animals (often domestic) while conservation looks at populations as a whole.
The conflict here arises when some animals, usually predators, are killed to protect the population of a certain species. For instance, in Australia, feral animals such as foxes and rabbits are culled to prevent them from destroying agriculture. Furthermore, kangaroos are shot by the government-licensed kangaroo shooters annually so that their populations can be controlled (Gray, 2013). Overgrazing is a grave issue caused by the massive population size of the kangaroos as it threatens Australia’s biodiversity. They often graze at areas which are also food and homes for other species of wildlife. The population of kangaroos is growing exponentially to a point where they are considered pests. Without their natural predators (dingos and aboriginal hunters), there is really no other viable alternatives than to kill them by employing professional shooters. (You can watch a video on the kangaroo cull here)
The divide between animal welfare activists and conservation biologists is ever-present. On one hand, animal welfare activists argue that kangaroos should not be culled and instead, simply be moved to other areas. Scientists believe that it is essential to reduce their population in order to protect wildlife that can only be found in that area. Personally, I feel that the culling of predatory and invasive species is justified as it is definitely better to reduce a population rather than letting one go extinct.
With all that is said, I would like to pose a question to you: Would it be ethical to kill selected animals on the basis of saving other animals?
– Amanda 🙂
Reference list:
Featured image: “Kangaroo” by Flying Cloud is licensed under CC BY 2.0
R. Fulton, G., & A. Ford, H. (2001). The conflict between animal welfare and conservation. Pacific Conservation Biology, 7(3), 152. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/243055672_The_conflict_between_animal_welfare_and_conservation</p;>
A necessary evil – the kangaroo cull. (2013, April 3). Reuters. http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2013/04/03/a-necessary-evil-the-kangaroo-cull/</p;>
Australia’s beloved kangaroos are now controversial pests. (2019, January 16). National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/02/australia-kangaroo-beloved-symbol-becomes-pest/</p;>
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylAm4vyNkuI
“Broken Hill – Menindee Road. NSW” by amandabhslater is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Hi Amanda! I had no idea that the Australian government licensed kangaroo shooters to control the population of the kangaroos. I agree with you that it is better to reduce the population of a certain animal to save the rest. However, I was wondering, what do they do with the kangaroo dead bodies after shooting them? When I visited Singapore Zoo earlier this year, I heard they used kangaroo meat to feed the white tiger. I also read up the link on pests and there was someone that suggested farming the kangaroos and using them as tagets for leisure hunting. Do you think this is a better solution than just shooting the kangaroos?
Hi Azhari, some of the kangaroos culled are produced for human and pet consumption. It is pretty common to see kangaroo dog treats even in Singapore! Kangaroo meat is actually widely available in Australia and encouraged for consumers due to their rapidly increasing numbers. In fact, it is a source of meat that is more sustainable than chicken and beef! Regarding the use of kangaroos as targets for leisure hunting, I do believe that it is a better solution. One problem that arises from the culling is the issue of whether they are being killed humanely. It is very hard to ascertain if this is indeed the case for shootings in the wild as it is done during night time. Perhaps they could be regulated more strictly if it is within an enclosed area that they use for leisure hunting?
– Amanda
Hi Amanda!! I agree with you too, some sacrifices have to be made to save other species. For Australia’s case, do you think its possible to control the population of Kangaroos without culling them? For instance, reintroducing native predators back to mainland Australia, such as the Tasmanian Devil. Looking forward to more of your reply and more of your post. Cheers and stay safe!! =)
Hi Benjamin! Are you referring to the Tasmanian tiger instead? Tasmanian devils are not the natural predators of kangaroos, they mostly feed on smaller animals like frogs, fish and birds! The Tasmanian tiger is currently extinct though :-(. I feel that culling would be the better option than what you proposed, as introducing new species into ecosystems would have many adverse effects. For example, introducing more dingos (who are natural predators of kangaroos), would affect the food chain negatively. They may overhunt other native species in the area, driving its numbers to extinction. Furthermore, extra costs are incurred as governments try to control the population of this newly introduced animal. In my opinion, all these problems can be solved with just the kangaroo cull and of course, it should be done humanely.
– Amanda