Vermin? Aspects of ethical wildlife control

[Buchan]

Starting this after the thread asking if deer are vermin and the rather loose definition of vermin in firearms certificates. As far as I can see, there is no legal definition (noted in Hansard8ths October 2003) so it seems to be a bit of a catch all term for animals that are not wanted (a bit like "weeds"). Something that we all however need to be aware of is this paper looking at an ethical approach to controlling wildlife and establishing principles for lethal control. One of which is not killing simply because of a label eg pest/vermin. Given the increased pressure of "antis" it might be sensible to start thinking in these terms and dropping the term vermin

Abstract
Human–wildlife conflicts are commonly addressed by excluding, relocating, or lethally controlling animals with the goal of preserving public health and safety, protecting property, or conserving other valued wildlife. However, declining wildlife populations, a lack of efficacy of control methods in achieving desired outcomes, and changes in how people value animals have triggered widespread acknowledgment of the need for ethical and evidence-based approaches to managing such conflicts. We explored international perspectives on and experiences with human–wildlife conflicts to develop principles for ethical wildlife control. A diverse panel of 20 experts convened at a 2-day workshop and developed the principles through a facilitated engage- ment process and discussion. They determined that efforts to control wildlife should begin wherever possible by altering the human practices that cause human–wildlife conflict and by developing a culture of coexistence; be justified by evidence that significant harms are being caused to people, property, livelihoods, ecosystems, and/or other animals; have measurable outcome-based objectives that are clear, achievable, monitored, and adaptive; predictably minimize animal welfare harms to the fewest number of animals; be informed by community values as well as scientific, technical, and practical information; be integrated into plans for systematic long-term management; and be based on the specifics of the situation rather than negative labels (pest, overabundant) applied to the target species. We recommend that these principles guide development of international, national, and local standards and control decisions and implementation.

 

[Pontfathew]

Brilliant - thanks.

 

[CarlW]

Thanks for this, @Buchan .

I like the idea of contextualising the idea of 'vermin'.

To many of the villagers around our place, elephants and lions are vermin; whereas rats are a valuable food-source. I disagree with them, but then it ain't my maize that's being trampled or my goats that are being eaten.

Similarly, back in the UK, I have a great affection for the Jay and never shoot them, despite the fact that I am aware of the harm they do, and @The fourth Horseman tells me off every time I declare my love for the shy little murderer.

Nonetheless reports such as this make me nervous. The usual outcome is for white, western governments to jump on the bandwagon of these new ideas and start managing other people's wildlife for them. I note that not one developing African country is among the contributors (the woke Uni of Cape Town doesn't count).

Kind regards,

Carl

 

[willie_gunn]

Many thanks - this looks like an interesting and informative read.

Not sure it will go down so well with the plain-speaking brigade, mind you. Just look at the "Killing" vs "Harvesting" debate

The whole area of ethical control seems to be coming to the fore, and I find it fascinating reading the current debate on areas like trophy hunting. We now seem to have a group of activists in countries such as the UK who deem it their right to dictate what activities should, and should not, be allowed. Not just in their own countries, mind, but also in other parts of the world. Frequently this is based not on science but on their own personal beliefs.

To my mind, it is up to African (and other) countries to decide what's best for their wilidlife and biodiversity. If that means the control of species such as lions and elephants to protect crops and minimise human interaction, so be it. It is no different than the modern eco-warriors deciding that the world is in crisis and therefore we should all rely on renewable energy and go totally vegan. Why should their personal beliefs be forced upon countries that are trying their damndest to improve the lot of their own populations? At the end of the day it is their country, their wildlife, their enviroment, and their policies.

All too often the campaigns of these activitists and pressure groups smack of - in the terminology of our age - both "white privilege" and "Western privilege". I am surprised, to be frank, that more is not made of this by those advocating alternative policies based on sound, scientific, principles.

 

[User00025]

Thanks for this, @Buchan .

I like the idea of contextualising the idea of 'vermin'.

To many of the villagers around our place, elephants and lions are vermin; whereas rats are a valuable food-source. I disagree with them, but then it ain't my maize that's being trampled or my goats that are being eaten.

Similarly, back in the UK, I have a great affection for the Jay and never shoot them, despite the fact that I am aware of the harm they do, and @The fourth Horseman tells me off every time I declare my love for the shy little murderer.

Nonetheless reports such as this make me nervous. The usual outcome is for white, western governments to jump on the bandwagon of these new ideas and start managing other people's wildlife for them. I note that not one developing African country is among the contributors (the woke Uni of Cape Town doesn't count).

Kind regards,

Carl

You are an awful man, you must get away from liking one of the worst songbird predators even though according to my neighbouring keeper they do a good job planting acorns. He is misguided too.
They and their attractive cousins the magpie are terrible birds and should be eliminated.
I do not like any Corvidae, I know it's all nature but it feels natural to kill as many as possible to me.
Rant over I quite like you really

 

[Buchan]

To many of the villagers around our place, elephants and lions are vermin; whereas rats are a valuable food-source. I disagree with them, but then it ain't my maize that's being trampled or my goats that are being eaten.

That (and the western view) is an excellent comment.

 

[25 Sharps]

I do pest, predator and deer control, vermin doesn’t come in to it. Apparently pest is still a negative label though! It quite sure what other woke term needs to be used for agricultural pests like rabbits and pigeons that doesn’t have negative connotations but still conveys the issue.

Amazes me the amount of people that Still think you can shoot muntjac year round because they are ‘classed as vermin’ though.

 

[Kalahari]

I posted this in another thread a month or two ago so you probably understand my position.




"Very interesting indeed. I know/knew both areas pretty well. It is interesting that a "little bit of shooting" (which may sound callous) teaches animals to avoid humans and human habitation. If you spent time in these areas and spoke the language you would truly grasp the concept of living on the breadline and a couple of nights work by elephants could see your families basic food supply for the next year destroyed. It isn't a great deal to ask that these people are allowed to have some control over their lives rather than being subject to a completely detached view of a group of well fed monied westerners!

There got that off my chest."



Best wishes,

David.






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[Kalahari]

"other woke term needs to be used for agricultural pests like rabbits and pigeons that doesn’t have negative connotations but still conveys the issue."

Liberal, left wing activist?

David,

 

[Rake Aboot]

We'll be apologising every time we pull the trigger next.

 

[timbrayford]

The Forestry Commission definition of our wild deer is "Pest", they appear to be blatantly ignorant of the positive interactions between our native deer and other endangered native species such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly etc. See "The impact of deer on lowland woodland invertebrates" by AJA Stewart etc.

 

[User00040]

Perspective is everything, majorly misguided views can arise from the idea/concept of 'nature' that an individual has in their head.

Too much Disney has made everyone soft, questioning right and wrong/morality etc.

The lion or tiger happily chewing on fresh meat from a kill has no such concerns, yet do we consider these animals 'evil'? Maybe they are the enlightened ones...

We can talk of 'human nature' yet associate the term 'natural' with absence of human intervention.

Sorry to say, but human actions such as assembling a nuclear power-plant is just as 'natural' a phenomenon as a beaver building a dam.

Civilisations have centred around farming grains/carbohydrates but this also involved livestock.

Vermin/pest is simply a class of living thing (plants included) that thrives by infringing on/harming your food production, and does not render itself to being particularly edible and hence must be removed as much as practically possible.

The more removed the merrier, but absolute extermination is usually impossible in practical terms (I would say this could be used as another aspect of the definition of vermin/pest).

Try telling someone who weeds their garden or strims grass that they are causing unnecessary cruelty and suffering and see what response you get, or maybe not as that will give vegans something else to moan about.

The 'non-native' aspect of certain deer species in the UK such as Sika, Munjac and CWD should make them fair game year round (just like all ungulates in New Zealand), there would surely be some would bemoan this as dangerous/undesirable, but I doubt culling by individuals would ever manage to exterminate them now (Tahr in NZ have endured year round hunting, poisoning by 1080 and hails of bullets from helicopters, yet are managing to hang on). However, I would not class these animals as pest/vermin as they have worth in themselves (my perspective now reveals itself).

Hot barrels!

 

[25 Sharps]

Many thanks - this looks like an interesting and informative read.

Not sure it will go down so well with the plain-speaking brigade, mind you. Just look at the "Killing" vs "Harvesting" debate

The whole area of ethical control seems to be coming to the fore, and I find it fascinating reading the current debate on areas like trophy hunting. We now seem to have a group of activists in countries such as the UK who deem it their right to dictate what activities should, and should not, be allowed. Not just in their own countries, mind, but also in other parts of the world. Frequently this is based not on science but on their own personal beliefs.

To my mind, it is up to African (and other) countries to decide what's best for their wilidlife and biodiversity. If that means the control of species such as lions and elephants to protect crops and minimise human interaction, so be it. It is no different than the modern eco-warriors deciding that the world is in crisis and therefore we should all rely on renewable energy and go totally vegan. Why should their personal beliefs be forced upon countries that are trying their damndest to improve the lot of their own populations? At the end of the day it is their country, their wildlife, their enviroment, and their policies.

All too often the campaigns of these activitists and pressure groups smack of - in the terminology of our age - both "white privilege" and "Western privilege". I am surprised, to be frank, that more is not made of this by those advocating alternative policies based on sound, scientific, principles.

What about the destruction of the rainforest in S. America though, that has truely global ramifications for all of us. Where do you draw the line?

 

[25 Sharps]

Vermin/pest is simply a class of living thing (plants included) that thrives by infringing on/harming your food production, and does not render itself to being particularly edible and hence must be removed as much as practically possible.

Bit of a narrow definition that, what about deer on new planted trees, rabbits on new planted hedging, pigeons pulling triticale?

None of those are food and all the pests are edible

 

[25 Sharps]

We'll be apologising every time we pull the trigger next.

I usually do, to my host after a miss!