Wildlife Politics

Attitudes towards charismatic animals such as tigers, lions, bears and wolves vary greatly and change over time, resulting in bitter political debates. This comprehensive book identifies and analyses the factors that influence policies across the globe, highlighting how this impacts conservation as a whole. Issues such as overexploitation, hunting, ecotourism and the struggle to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking are examined and science's role in policymaking is assessed. The conflicting forces behind legislation, including institutions, interest groups and the media are analysed, with particular focus on the significance of the Endangered Species Act, covering over forty-five species that have become matters of political debate in sixty-seven different countries. Case studies and conceptual frameworks provide a clear understanding of the key topics, shedding light on this important yet often overlooked area of environmental politics.

• Case studies help the reader to understand how emotional attachments to charismatic animals generates strong emotions, which ultimately affect wildlife policies
• Key scientific issues including population viability analysis, trophic cascades, island theory, burden of proof and maximum sustainable yield are explained
• The politics of wildlife in sixty-seven countries and forty-two US states is discussed, helping the reader to gain a broad knowledge of issues across the globe