Abstract

When dealing with the protection of an endangered species, it appears more and more important to address the ethical limits and the societal perception of the implemented conservation measures. This will be illustrated here through the example of conservation programs of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in France. The main threats for this critically endangered rodent are the impoverishment and fragmentation of its habitat due to recent changes in agricultural practices and urbanization. Thus, the status of this species changed from harmful to endangered in only a few decades. This must lead to acceptance of the species by citizens and especially farmers paid to destroy this species until the 1990s while nowadays to protect it. To stem the decline, several measures have been taken through the last 20 years including population reinforcement, wild animal tracking, and implementation of suitable habitats. One can, therefore, discuss the efficiency of these measures and their integration in the entire socio-ecosystem. Population reinforcement and the questions that can arise from it will first be addressed. Secondly, in situ animal monitoring and implications of the methods used will be discussed. Third, we will deal with agricultural practices favorable to the species. Finally, we will highlight the links between European hamster conservation measures and wider problematics.

Highlights

  • Conservation Measures for Animal Populations’ ProtectionHuman beings currently impose a very strong selection pressure on organisms, forcing them to adapt, move away, or die

  • One way would be to limit the impregnation of the animals during captivity or prepare them for wildlife in pre-release enclosures (Virion and Thouvenot, 2019)

  • Different methods can be used: (i) photo-identification, if the species have fur or skin patterns that differ from one animal to another like with some felines or amphibians; (ii) external tags like rings, bands, ear punches, toe clipping, tattoo; and (iii) internal systems like passive integrated transponders (PIT) for radiofrequency identification (RFID)

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Human beings currently impose a very strong selection pressure on organisms, forcing them to adapt, move away, or die. Protecting the habitat of species, in particular by reducing the threats that affect it, is a first so-called in situ conservation measure It aims at maintaining populations in the environment where the distinctive characteristics of the species have developed and in which they can continue to evolve with their prey or food resources, predators and parasites. Comes environmental ethics which considers animal species as a whole, as building blocks of the ecosystems in which they live (Vilmer, 2008). Some lobbies do not hesitate to blame the carnivores for livestock slaughters leading to the rise of authorized shoots to 19% of the population of wolves in 2020 Another example of ethics disagreement—and purpose of this paper—is the captive breeding of endangered species for the preservation of biodiversity. We will expose the interconnections of conservation measures for endangered species with other problematics and the benefits we can expect from them

Agricultural Pest to Flagship Species of Alsatian Biodiversity
POPULATION REINFORCEMENT
PROS CONS
Problems Risen by Releasing Programs
Capturing and Tagging Animals
Transmitters to Follow Animals
MODIFICATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
How to Implement Suitable Habitats?
Why Is It so Difficult to Modify Agricultural
What About a Successful Increase in the Population?
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