Hunting for a Solution

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Mahoney, S. P., and V. Geist, editors. 2019 Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A. ix+166 pp. US$74.95 (hardcover). ISBN 978-1-421-43281-6. International Management: Conservation Challenges in a Changing World. Koprowski, J. L., P. R. Krausman, 2019. xv+226 978-1-421-43285-4. model for wildlife conservation the United States Canada is “a system laws, principles, institutions, policies” that promoted recovery many species from low numbers at end 19th century. describes history model's emergence. In 1901 just few hundred bison (Bison bison) were left last wild passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was killed. Populations other decimated—herons cranes their ornamental feathers, sea otters (Enhydra lutris) pelts, Eskimo curlews (Numenius borealis) food. Although never explicitly stated book, recreational hunters with wealth influence appear to have been shocked by lack game, resulting lobbying, public mobilization, legislation. prime impetus enable subsistence hunting. Subsequently, many––but not all––of decimated recovered. essential elements are publicly owned maintained, available all, hunting allocated democratically, commercial harvesting prohibited (enshrined Lacey Act 1900, which considered one contributor most significant enforcement act U.S. history) science basis policy. editors this multiauthored volume “enormously successful” (p. 14). According 2 authors, “American greatest ideas all humanity,” another argues early conservationists would be amazed present-day status game populations acreage lands 126). Whether considers these statements hyperbole, series essays valuable informative. First, understanding underlying drivers success has obvious relevance efforts today. Second, management approaches still follow key features facing new challenges. One essay main personalities involved development. Aldo Leopold looms large. His name mentioned 9 13 chapters, author ranks Leopold's Sand County Almanac, environmental books 20th century (alongside Rachel Carson's Silent Spring). A chapter on laments two-thirds fail accept role natural selection evolution. Just as dispiriting same survey shows almost 1 8 scientists similar view. recommended emergence protection Yosemite, Adirondacks, Yellowstone, because it gives additional perspectives value conservation, beyond enjoyment For example, deforestation Adirondacks reversed partly consequence siltation Erie Canal; John Muir championed wonder nature its own “glorious sake”; President Theodore Roosevelt emphasized importance his electorate, but future generations, ways difficult predict. authors make case contribution conservation. Texas alone, every year 600,000 people hunt white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) enjoyment. addition, herbivore control may required replace predators formerly limited prevented overgrazing. Finally, revenue comes hunters, including federal tax guns, bows, arrows, ammunition introduced an innovative 1937 act, licenses, together annually contribute >$1 billion Given contributions hunting, concerned about decline interest. Less than 5% population now hunt, down 10% 1990. Most old. Concerns include loss revenue, fewer personally supporting increasing disconnect nature. Remedies suggested taxing items guns (such camouflage clothing) encouraging children attend camps. Alternatively, enjoy substituted. Indeed, raise possibility outdoor equipment supplies. I add widespread support among general States. study estimates “no-use benefits parks,” or amount prepared pay even if they visit park, totals $33 (Haefele et al., 2016). Accepting Canadian works, why implemented elsewhere, how well do alternatives work? This question addressed both Management. Three ownership, emphasis tool, ban trading. hallmarks strong enforcement, scientific underpinnings restrictions recognition restraint. These more establish developing countries. ownership resource might expected result tragedy commons, whereby individuals little lose much gain overexploitation. places, government led overharvesting, failures legislation (Benítez-López 2017). feature model. parts world, however, threat, tool 2017; Koerner Third, unlike under model, legal trade hunted animals allowed places. contributes declines overharvesting illegal harvest (e.g., quota) easily passed off legal. However, there some examples where alternative worked favor Development private ranches southern Africa improve stocks. developed countries, annual 10 million kangaroos Australia, boar Germany, alligator had no effect populations. Management broader scope Model. It designed students interested practicalities starts emphasizing international collaboration experience. Like Model, focused land does consider problems oceans. lists global organizations; second suggestions get research. Another illustrates collaborations differences solutions faced so highlighting investments Europe breeding migrant birds, vain given challenges when overwinter locations threatened desertification. fourth details successes generating local designation fair-trade labels, funneling tourist dollars locals living near employment motivated park rangers. book surprising figures show data, only 3 total. Several chapters devoted describing specific threats (climate change, habitat loss, etc.). Each overview referencing studies illustrate points. conclude discussion actions ameliorate impacts. enduring impression gets varied need be. fragmentation types corridors can install bridges over roads), climate change prescriptions, although advocated already translocation keep up (St. George, 2020). invasive successful programs, interesting explanation what makes effort successful, carnivore concludes small islands “we will probably able eradicate predators” 136) pathogen calls costly impossible enterprise systems” 101). An exceptional Wisely offers face. disease. broad disease wildlife, also addresses causes spread. Vampire bats (Diaemus spp.) carry rabies increased forest converted pasture. amphibians (>8000 t frog legs exported) spread Artificial breeding, provision feeding sites, high densities species, transmission diseases, such chromic wasting white tailed Texas. justifies noting disease, domestic humans. (The came too late COVID-19, earlier coronavirus outbreaks linked animal reservoirs.) feasibility mechanisms, vaccination, culling, sterilization. vaccination cattle against benefit:cost ratio 6:1. Wisely's important description principles made anywhere else either book. she lays out 4 options management: prevention, control, eradication, doing nothing, thereby providing framework cost–benefit analysis. problem multiple threats, interaction. notes altering host distributions generation times. Her explains degradation increases human contact rates humans, humans wildlife. She nutrient pollution increase hosts. raises issue uncertainty. Kingdom, cull badgers (Meles meles) limit bovine tuberculosis failed badger movements, spreading anticipate, provides lead into increasingly sophisticated modeling literature aims predictions. Uncertainty clearly appreciated decisions, indeed content associated outcomes. anticipating future, range possible outcomes should incorporated widely plans present. books, linking way seen before. judicious reading various benefit everyone.