The "capacity to reason" in conservation biology and policy: the southern elephant seal branding controversy

• Published in: Journal for Nature Conservation
• Main Authors: Green, J., Bradshaw, C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Urban und Fischer Verlag 2004
• Subjects: Southern elephant seals; Mirounga leonina; Consilience; Ethics; Controversy; Research; Conservation value; Bradshaw; Corey; Elephant Seal; Elephant Seals; Macquarie Island; Southern Elephant Seal; Southern Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2440/48213; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2004.04.001

Copyright © 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. 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. Julia Jabour and Corey J. A. Bradshaw http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/701773/description#description