The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy
Modern environmental research is typically governed by a number of protocols designed to embrace the epistemological and ethical values of society. These protocols evolve in response to changing values, and few disciplines in environmental science have received as much attention as biological conser...
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ftcharlesdarwin:oai:espace.cdu.edu.au:cdu:1531 2023-07-02T03:32:07+02:00 The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy Jabour Green, J. Bradshaw, Corey J. A. 2004-01-01 http://espace.cdu.edu.au/view/cdu:1531 unknown Elsevier Journal Article 2004 ftcharlesdarwin 2023-06-12T22:23:15Z Modern environmental research is typically governed by a number of protocols designed to embrace the epistemological and ethical values of society. These protocols evolve in response to changing values, and few disciplines in environmental science have received as much attention as biological conservation. This paper describes the events leading to a controversy regarding a particular research technique used to investigate the cause of a long-term population decline of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island, south of Australia – hot-iron branding of individuals. We discuss procedures and protocols that were in place at the time the controversy erupted, the subsequent reflection of the researchers and authorities involved, and the steps taken to avoid future occurrences. Our treatment of the issue is framed within a discussion of modern ethical philosophy, and our aim is to identify the true source of the controversy. We offer several suggestions as to how such events can be avoided in the future, and provide a model framework for incorporating changing ethical values into important biological conservation objectives. Article in Journal/Newspaper Elephant Seal Elephant Seals Macquarie Island Mirounga leonina Southern Elephant Seal Southern Elephant Seals Charles Darwin University: CDU eSpace |
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Modern environmental research is typically governed by a number of protocols designed to embrace the epistemological and ethical values of society. These protocols evolve in response to changing values, and few disciplines in environmental science have received as much attention as biological conservation. This paper describes the events leading to a controversy regarding a particular research technique used to investigate the cause of a long-term population decline of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at Macquarie Island, south of Australia – hot-iron branding of individuals. We discuss procedures and protocols that were in place at the time the controversy erupted, the subsequent reflection of the researchers and authorities involved, and the steps taken to avoid future occurrences. Our treatment of the issue is framed within a discussion of modern ethical philosophy, and our aim is to identify the true source of the controversy. We offer several suggestions as to how such events can be avoided in the future, and provide a model framework for incorporating changing ethical values into important biological conservation objectives. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Jabour Green, J. Bradshaw, Corey J. A. |
spellingShingle |
Jabour Green, J. Bradshaw, Corey J. A. The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
author_facet |
Jabour Green, J. Bradshaw, Corey J. A. |
author_sort |
Jabour Green, J. |
title |
The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
title_short |
The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
title_full |
The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
title_fullStr |
The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
title_full_unstemmed |
The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
title_sort |
"capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy |
publisher |
Elsevier |
publishDate |
2004 |
url |
http://espace.cdu.edu.au/view/cdu:1531 |
genre |
Elephant Seal Elephant Seals Macquarie Island Mirounga leonina Southern Elephant Seal Southern Elephant Seals |
genre_facet |
Elephant Seal Elephant Seals Macquarie Island Mirounga leonina Southern Elephant Seal Southern Elephant Seals |
_version_ |
1770271626841030656 |