The challenge of compassion in predator conservation

Abstract

This paper argues that compassion for wild animals and the humans living alongside them should be integral to wildlife conservation. Nowhere is this more apparent than in predator conservation, and case studies are used to explore the consequences of wild animal attacks for human victims. Some arguments for extending compassionate consideration to animals seen as individuals are considered, along with the challenges these pose for predator conservation. A way forward from this apparent impasse is suggested, drawing on the capacity approach to embrace human with animal actors. The paper concludes with implications for predator conservation and recommendations, including incident responses sensitive to the traumatic impacts of attacks, and more collaborative approaches to handling human-wildlife interactions taking account of the capacities of local humans and wildlife.

Heavy, Bulky, or Both: What Does “Large Prey” Mean to Snakes?

“…As another example of linking RPB with RPM, relevant to human-snake relationships and thus conservation (Pooley, 2022), some herpetologists have claimed our shoulders prevent ingestion by all but the longest snakes—but people coexisting with giant constrictors usually weigh less than adult Caucasians (at 90 kg, HWG has twice the mass of an adult male Indigenous Philippine Agta) and occasionally are attacked and eaten by these snakes (Branch and Hacke, 1980; Headland and Greene, 2011; Rivas, 2020:99–103; Natusch et al, 2021). Moreover, snakes can reduce RPB for at least some mammals by alternately deforming a prey item's shoulders during ingestion, such that they are swallowed sequentially rather than simultaneously (Close and Cundall, 2012).…”

Monitoring the stress physiology of free-ranging mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) across diverse habitats within Central Gujarat, India

“…1 ). The Charotar locals, for generations, have maintained a coexistence with free-ranging muggers and preserved the cultural significance of the mugger crocodile as the sacred vehicle, ‘Vahan/vahana’, of ‘Goddess Khodiyar’ ( Voluntary Nature Conservancy, 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 , 2022 ; Pooley, 2022 ). As per the survey conducted by the Voluntary Nature Conservancy in 2021, the mugger crocodile population in the Charotar region is spread across multiple ponds ( Voluntary Nature Conservancy, 2022 ) and experiences extremely low or no conflict.…”