Let Wild Animals BE WILD vs. Don't Release Animals Back to the WILD Practice Flashcards

Let Wild Animals Be Wild: Core Argument and Philosophy

• Primary Claim: The author, David Bowles, argues that while human intervention is necessary for endangered or injured animals, the ultimate goal of conservation must be to release these animals back into the wild where they belong.

• Definition of Sanctuaries: Human-made places designed for safety and protection of wildlife.

• Definition of an Ecosystem: A complex community comprising all the animals and plants that live in a specific area.

• Responsibility and Action: Many people feel a sense of responsibility to protect Earth's creatures through direct and indirect actions.

  • Direct actions include:

    1. Raising endangered wild animals in captivity to ensure species survival.

    2. Treating and rehabilitating injured wild animals.

• Benefits of Human Protection (Short-Term):

  • Provision of consistent food and water.

  • Safety from natural predators.

  • Protection from anthropogenic threats such as hunting, environmental pollution, and habitat destruction.

• The Meaning of Success: Life in captivity is not the final purpose of conservation; real success is achieved only when animal populations are strong enough to return to their natural habitats to balance the ecosystem.

Case Study: The California Condor

• Species Description: One of the largest flying birds globally, historically found across many parts of the United States.

• Causes of Decline: The species "diminished" (shrank or became fewer) over the past two centuries due to:

  • Settlers shooting and poisoning the birds.

  • The taking of condor eggs.

  • Pollution and pesticide use.

• Policy Timeline:

  • Hunting outlawed: More than $100$ years ago.

  • Scientific discovery: By the $1970\text{s}$, researchers found only a few dozen wild condors remained.

  • Government intervention: In the early $1980\text{s}$, the U.S. government established a program to prevent extinction.

• Conservation Methods: Scientists collected wild eggs for zoo hatching and captured wild condors to facilitate safe breeding in zoos.

• Population Data:

  • In $1987$: Zero condors remained in the wild; only $27$ existed in captivity.

  • By the end of $2015$: Total population reached $435$ birds.

  • Distribution: $268$ of those birds were living in their natural habitat.

Ecological and Psychological Rationale for Release

• Animal Growth and Instincts: Wild animals like birds and wild cats can only truly "thrive" (do well or grow successfully) when their natural instincts and behaviors are "unfettered" (not limited or restricted).

• Impact of Keystone Species:

  • Definition: An animal or plant that plays an essential role in its ecosystem; if it becomes threatened or extinct, the entire ecosystem is compromised because other species depend on it.

  • Example (Beavers): Found in the United States and Europe. Beavers build dams and pools that provide habitats for ducks, otters, and dragonflies. When beavers became extinct in Scotland due to hunting, other animal populations suffered.

  • Scotland Reintroduction: Beavers were reintroduced in $2009$ and monitored through $2014$. Biologists declared the program an "outstanding success" as they improved the environment.

Scientific and Financial Benefits of Reintroduction

• Scientific Monitoring through Tracking:

  • Devices (e.g., radio collars) are placed on animals raised or rehabilitated in captivity before release.

  • Siberian Tiger Project: Based at the University of Idaho, began monitoring Siberian tigers in the far east of Russia in the $1990\text{s}$. Decades of data help treat injured tigers and plan reintroductions into areas like northern Korea.

• Financial and Economic Benefits:

  • Reintroducing animals to wilderness areas attracts tourists who spend money at local businesses like motels and restaurants.

  • Yellowstone National Park (Wolves): Wolves were reintroduced starting in $1995$. A $2006$ University of Montana study estimated wolf-related tourism brings in tens of millions of dollars annually.

Counter-Arguments and Rebuttals

• Opposition Point 1: Survival in the Wild. Critics claim captive-raised animals cannot survive independently.

  • Rebuttal: Biologists and specialists provide careful preparation for life in the wild before release.

• Opposition Point 2: Human Safety and Livestock. Critics fear predator attacks.

  • Rebuttal: Balanced ecosystems with adequate food and space rarely result in attacks. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report noted that of all cattle deaths in $2010$, only about $5\%$  were caused by predators.

Don't Release Animals Back to the Wild: The Counter-Perspective

• Core Claim: René Saldaña Jr. argues that scientific research suggests keeping animals in captivity often makes more sense for their survival than releasing them.

• Survival Rates and Instinctual Deficits:

  • Animals are born with instincts, but they must learn survival skills (hunting, recognizing enemies, cooperation) from parents.

  • Captive-raised or orphaned animals miss this learning process and remain poorly equipped for the wild.

• University of Exeter Study (Animal Behavior Research Group):

  • Examined $45$ cases involving $17$ species (wolves, bears, foxes, African wild dogs, otters).

  • Findings: Captive-born animals had much lower survival rates due to starvation (lack of hunting skills), failure to find mates, and a lack of natural fear toward humans or larger carnivores.

  • Example (African Hunting Dogs): Raised in captivity, these dogs were frequently attacked by lions or trapped by humans after release because they were too "bold."

Case Study: Keiko the Orca

• Background: Keiko was an orca captured near Iceland at age $3$, famous for the movie Free Willy.

• Release Campaign: After a global campaign, Keiko was returned to Iceland to live in an ocean pen, where scientists prepared him for the open sea and introduced him to wild orcas.

• Outcome: Released in $\text{July } 2002$, Keiko could not integrate into a wild orca group. He died alone in $\text{December } 2003$.

Modern Facilities and Enclosures

• Outdated Views: Objections to zoos are often based on old images of bare concrete and wire cages.

• Modern Enclosures: Use "behavioral enrichment," providing animals choices, privacy, and large spaces with dirt, plants, and water. Moats and ditches have replaced cages.

• Advantages over Nature:

  • Consistent food supply not dependent on seasons, hunting skills, or competition.

  • Protection from speeding cars, hunters, and habitat loss.

  • Access to regular veterinary care.

• Status of Endangered Species: According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), $33$ species are extinct in the wild, but $31$ of those species remain alive and well in zoos and aquariums.

• Sanctuary Example: "The Jungle Place" in Quintana Roo, Mexico, provides safety for spider monkeys from the illegal pet trade because no safe wild environment exists for them in Mexico anymore.

Educational and Scientific Value of Captivity

• Discovery: Scientists can observe captive animals to learn about health and behavior in ways impossible in the wild.

• Conservation Funding: The public is more likely to donate to conservation after seeing endangered species up close in zoos or sanctuaries.

• Case Study: Luna the Sea Otter:

  • Rescued in $\text{October } 2014$ at less than $1$ week old by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and moved to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

  • Status: Named an "ambassador" for her species by Tim Binder, who oversees animal care.

  • Scientific Gain: Researchers at Shedd learned exact calorie intake and activity levels required for growth, data which is now used to help sea otters in the wild.

Conclusion: The Ethics of Safety

• Concluding Rationale: While quick release of briefly treated injured animals is acceptable, release is often not worth the risk for long-term captive animals. Safety and the prevention of species extinction outweigh the benefits of freedom.