The ethics of conservation: a critical analysis of Compassionate Conservation approach

It was estimated that up to 30% of all species will be extinct by 2050 and species extinction is the main threat to biodiversity. Conservation biology is a multidisciplinary science that was developed to address this loss of biodiversity. However, animal welfare is a rising concern in wildlife conservation biology and critics are increasingly questioning the ethics and motivations that underpin conventional conservation practices such as killing animals for conservation purposes. Compassionate Conservation is a recently emerged approach that, founding on virtue ethic, combines the fields of conservation and animal welfare. It’s guiding principles are: Do no harm, Individuals matter, Inclusivity, Peaceful coexistence. Compassionate Conservation has been harshly criticised by traditional conservationists who often use consequentialist decision making processes in which the focus is on species, populations, and ecosystems. However, traditional conservation has to deal with many failures and with growing public concern for animal welfare. The aim of this thesis is to critically explore and challenge traditional paradigms in wildlife conservation by examining the literature, emphasising the need for a shift toward more compassionate and inclusive frameworks that consider both individual animal welfare and ecosystem health.