The Barred and Spotted Owl Problem, a Question of Ethics. PHIL 314: Environmental Ethics Julie Solorzano. Ethical and value concerns In this assignment, the exploration of owl ethics comes into play. Spotted owls are at risk of extinction due to their barred owl counterparts intruding and outcompeting them in their habitat. The Fishery and Wildlife sector proposes killing half a million barred owls to save the spotted owls from potential extinction, which raises ethical concerns addressed in this analysis. Then, the question of what is considered natural arises in this case study. If barred owls can access the spotted owls' primary habitat due to anthropogenic factors, then the question of the naturalness of the area is not definitive. Suppose the barred owls can somehow be ethically eliminated from their area of intrusion. Barred owls are invading the spotted owls' natural habitat, but eliminating the barred owls in what is now an extension of their habitat is concerning as well. In this area of ethics, the naturalness that applies here is not defined specifically. If climate change has allowed the barred owls to invade northward, humans have made it possible for them to accomplish this. …show more content…
There are pieces to this argument that can be supported by Goodpaster. One piece is that all living things have interests (PHIL 314: 26 February Goodpaster reading notes). Spotted owls have an interest in staying alive and not going extinct. The barred owls, however, have the same interest, though they are not at risk of extinction. The pain they may also feel, however small as proposed by the FWS plan, is part of the question as well for barred owls. However, in Goodpaster's view, pain is an experience that protects life. Since the goal of this entire program is to save the spotted owl from extinction and protect life, there has to be a minimize of pain experienced by the barred owls as they are eliminated from this
The Pacific Northwest is perhaps most commonly known for its awe-inspiring old growth forests that have been gracing the land for hundreds and hundreds of years. The land in British Colombia, Canada, Washington state, Oregon, and parts of Northern California are the only areas in the world where these forests exist. One of the most unique and amazing inhabitants of this age-old forest is the Northern Spotted Owl. The Northern Spotted Owl has been on the endangered species list for over ten years now. The Northern Spotted Owl can only be found in these old growth forests. The northern spotted owl requires many acres old forests to survive, due to its scarce food supply. They are very sensitive to their habitat, and simply cannot survive in any other environment. These owls, as well as the forests have been disappearing at an alarming rate due to the immense logging industry in its area.
Listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, the Northern Spotted Owl has inadvertently landed in the in middle of the complicated debate over logging in the Pacific Northwest. Under the Act, logging of many old-growth forests has been suspended to protect the bird and its remaining habitat.
Kohak, Erazim V. "Part II." The Green Halo: a Bird's-eye View of Ecological Ethics. Chicago,
Regan, Tom. “The Case for Animal Rights.” In Animal Rights and Human Obligations, 2 ed.. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1989.
In conclusion, owls have shown they are excellent at adapting to any environment by the ability to fly silently to stalk prey. They use camouflaged and insulated feathers to hide and keep warm while hunting. Owl’s excellent binocular vision, and hearing helps to track prey from long distances. The only real risk of extinction of the burrowing owl is if people continue to kill off animals that dig holes for them. They have shown the ability to survive for a long time with the help of other animals digging holes for them. Owl’s will continue to evolve long after humans have
Zak, Steven. “Ethics and Animals.” Taking Sides: Science, Technology, and Society. Gilford: Dushkin Publishing Group, 2007
Approximately ninety percent of the forests in the Pacific Northwest have already been harvested. In order to protect the current owl population. remaining forests would have to be preserved, but this would have a serious impact. negative economic effect. Such a decision would affect jobs, regional economy.
Taking includes harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, trapping, killing, capturi... ... middle of paper ... ... logy 65: Biological Conservation (lecture 1-Introduction): http://mamba.bio.uci.edu/~pjbryant/bio65/lec01/b65/lec01.htm EDF Letter: Moratorium Ends, but Wildlife Needs a Better Law: http://www.edf.org/pubs/EDF-Letter/1996/Jul/l_mbean.html Endangered Species Act: http://ash.lab.r1.fws.gov/cargo/es.html Endangered Species Act Reauthorization: http://www.nj.com/life/audubon/conalert/opinions/95aut.html Eroding Animal Protection: http://envirolink.org/arrs/paws/win96/b_nwsero.htm Literature Cited-(continued): H.R. 2275--Young/Pombo Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute: http://www.neserc.org/2275des.htm Legislative History of the Endangered Species Act: http://www.nesarc.org/endang.htm Principles for ESA Reform in the 105th Congress: http://www.nesarc.org/princip.htm What is the Endangered Species Act?: http://www.nesarc.org/act.htm
The difference between right and wrong is not always perfectly clear. A long-standing part of cultures across the world, zoological and animal parks have been around for hundreds of years. While in the past concerns and issues regarding the ethical problems zoos seem to impose were less prominent, in recent times the rise of animal rights activist groups and new generational values have influenced the way people view these parks. Critics believe that zoos are an unnatural habitat for animals and force them to live in captivity, having a negative impact on their health. Yet, there are still many remaining who fully support zoos, citing business and educational reasons. Some supporters even acknowledge the ethical problems zoos face, but choose
As an advocate of animal rights, Tom Regan presents us with the idea that animals deserve to be treated with equal respect to humans. Commonly, we view our household pets and select exotic animals in different regard as oppose to the animals we perceive as merely a food source which, is a notion that animal rights activists
There are many places where people can go to see live animals such as aquariums, zoos, and safari parks. A pleasant way to define a Zoo is to call it “an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals”. (Google def) Another way to say that is a facility in which animals are “enclosed in cages for public exhibition”. I believe zoos are ethical; however, changes need to be made to eliminate problems I have discovered. In this argumentative essay, I will be arguing the ethics of zoos and certain problems that need to be addressed that people are not aware of. Zoos are great places to take the family out for the day to have entertainment; however, problems such as captive breeding, length of life, and animal stress need to improve.
Washington D.C.: Acropolis Books, 1978. Call Number: HV4711O5. Regan, Tom, and Peter Singer, eds. Animal Rights and Human Obligations.
I will first look at the views of Peter Singer, who is a utilitarian. A
Waples KA, Stagoll CS. Ethical issues in the release of animals from captivity. Roundtable. 1997; 115-120.
The person i interviewed was a woman by the name of terri shore she stood 5’5 62 years old and free spirited unafraid of anything. she grew up in California in the ‘70s and excelled in all of her class she was high school valedictorian she experimented with drugs like LSD and Marijuana but it wasn't for her she said she married her high school boyfriend and move to europe because he join N.A.T.O . She took a job at the N.A.T.O newspaper as an editor after he was discharged they move back to california then they had a son named Jeff she got a job in marketing at the at this point in her life she had 2 kids in europe a girl and a boy and the last child was born in california. everything seem to be perfect but it wasn't for her she divorced her husband but they kept quiet from their kids while they live in the same home it didn't work out she move back to