Wildlife Rights

David Favre, Michigan State University

Abstract

Abstract: This article begins by briefly exploring the extent to which wildlife, historically and presently, have a place within our society, culture and legal system. Then, building upon the reality that wildlife, like humans, have personal interests in living their individual lives, suggests five principles for developing laws and programs to better accommodate wildlife interests in the legal system. Individuals, species and geographic groups are presented as focus points for thinking about wildlife interests. Additionally, the three possibilities of who should be the plaintiff for asserting wildlife rights are described: government, private parties and the wildlife themselves. Finally, the article proposes new paths forward for wildlife within our system with the goal that their interests in life and habitat can be more forthrightly balanced against competing human interests.