The importance of the Ethical Review Process (ERP) in Conservation

Abstract

Decisions in conservation, as in other fields, are very often controversial and involve important ethical issues. The inclusion of the Ethical Review Process (ERP) in conservation projects is therefore of paramount importance to try to ensure that all concerns and stakeholders are considered and addressed, and that decisions are made on the basis of a rational decision-making process. The ERP is a critical reasoning process, based on tools and methodologies, for providing advice on ethically relevant issues or revising already existing policies and choices. Among the immediate results of its application are consistency and transparency in communication with institutions and with the public. The interdisciplinary research group of Padua University is testing the inclusion of ERP in conservation projects of different scale, both in-situ and ex-situ. Some examples are provided. On a local scale, in collaboration with WWF, we are investigating attitudes and ethical awareness of inhabitants and visitors in situ, using Likert scale items, in order to promote the conservation of local species. At a national level, we are performing a study on threats and obstacles to the conservation of Italian species belonging to Testudines taxon interviewing experts and using ethical Delphi methodology. In zoos, we designed a six-step protocol, using ethical matrices, to evaluate animal-visitor interactions, which we are testing in different species. In Europe, we are investigating zoos' ethical reputation, using questionnaires for visitors and non-visitors in collaboration with Goethe University, Frankfurt. In SouthAfrica, in collaboration with local universities and organizations, we are applying ethical matrix and expert consensus methodologies to evaluate elephants' management in semi-captive situations and wild dogs management in protected areas. The ERP is showing to be of help, at different levels, to highlight conflicts and resolutions, to promote dialogue and collaboration among ecologists, landowners, local institutions, zoos managers and the public. It is also of great importance to promote inclusiveness and conservation education.