Helen Kopnina
580 California St., Suite 400
San Francisco, CA, 94104
Wild Animals and Justice: The Case of the Dead Elephant in the Room
2016
https://doi.org/10.1080/13880292.2016.1204882
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Abstract
Elephants, the largest terrestrial representatives of the animal kingdom, are high order mammals with complex ethology and social dynamics, looming large both in natural landscapes and cultural settings in diverse locations...
FAQs
AI
What explains the significant decline of elephant populations in Africa?
The paper reveals that over 25,000 elephants were poached in Africa in 2011, with Central Africa losing over half its elephants in the last decade due to habitat loss and poaching.
How does the treatment of elephants in zoos compare to their wild counterparts?
Research shows that African elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National Park live an average of 36 years, while those in European zoos have a median lifespan of only 17 years, highlighting the detrimental effects of captivity.
What impact does habitat loss have on human-elephant conflict?
The study finds that in India, the geographic range of elephants has shrunk by 70% since the 1960s, exacerbating conflicts as human populations grow and encroach on elephant habitats.
What ethical frameworks challenge anthropocentric views on elephant conservation?
The paper discusses three non-anthropocentric ethics—land ethic, deep ecology, and animal liberation—that advocate for intrinsic value in elephants beyond their utility to humans.
When did contemporary awareness about elephant suffering in conservation discussions emerge?
Recent discussions, particularly over the past decade, reveal a growing awareness of elephant suffering in captivity and poaching, often overlooked in traditional conservation narratives.
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