Animal Ethics

JANUARY 20, 2007

Here are three paragraphs from a recent essay by Roger Scruton : As I suggested, science provides authority for this weird morality only when clothed in moral doctrine. The sleight of hand that gave us the “selfish” gene gives us the rights of baboons. It is not that they do no wrong, but that “right” and “wrong” here make no sense.

Animal 40

Animal Morals Apes Emotional 40

10,000 Birds

MARCH 20, 2011

What could motivate gunmen (I cannot call them hunters) in two states to deliberately kill North America’s tallest and most critically endangered bird? That’s what you do with other game, right? More states will doubtless join the queue of those proposing hunts. Speculation is useless in acts of vandalism.

2011 242

2011 Hunting Kentucky Hunters 242

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 14, 2015

What wasn’t publicised at the time, but the scientist later both admitted and owned, is that the kingfisher was then killed and collected for scientific reasons. If you want to know why most scientists support collecting this piece in Science explains it better than I can. Featured image Drawer of Eriocnemis study skins.

Collecting 221

Collecting Solomon Islands New Zealand Fiji 221

10,000 Birds

MAY 23, 2012

You could raise an eyebrow that at a time of cuts and austerity measures across a range of environment services and departments to be able to find £375k in support of a non-native species that is reared specifically to be killed anyway is a little astonishing. of nearly 500 radio-tagged releases).

Industry 193

Industry Research Raised Killing 193

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

More than 150 bird species are known to have become extinct over the past 500 years, and many more are estimated to have been driven to extinction before they became known to science. Rueppell’s (facing left) and White-backed (three birds facing right) Vultures have worryingly leapt two categories from Near-Threatened to Endangered.

Endangered Species 190

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 190

10,000 Birds

JUNE 26, 2018

The causes were the usual reasons for island extinction—deforestation by both humans and invasive plants that crowded out native plants, hunting, and invasive rats, mongoose, monkeys, and, of course, feral cats. A foot deep by some accounts, it killed what life was left in the forest. You’re read or seen Jurassic Park , right? (No

Mauritius 102

Mauritius Stud Zoos Eggs 102

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 1, 2024

Then again, why would anyone name a bird after a botanist, let alone one I only just made up right now? In the right light, the male Common Pheasant can look ridiculously attractive. I should also point out that contrary to popular belief, the Common Starling is not named after Edward Common (1858-1892), the English botanist.

Birds 190

Birds Research Science Europe 190

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 24, 2012

The oft-told tale of its start in 1900 as an alternative to the “side-hunt” which was itself a long tradition in many families warms many a birder’s heart. What’s not to like about citizen science, conservation, and transforming a day of slaughter into a day of enjoying being outside watching birds?

Saudi Arabia 143

Saudi Arabia Pakistan Abandon Abandoning 143

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

As it is critically endangered (there are only about 100 left), I think it can be forgiven for killing the occasional Pale Thrush (which is listed as Least Concern). Unfortunately, Hen Harriers die disproportionally near British Grouse moors – most likely killed illegally by people hunting grouse for sports ( source ).

Birds 207

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 207