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.

1. An introduction to wildlife politics; 2. Science and the protection of wildlife; 3. Implementation and enforcement issues in preserving wildlife; 4. The development of US wildlife policies and legislation; 5. Charismatic animals, carnivores, and the politics of wildlife; 6. The ESA: evaluation and politics; 7. Comparative wildlife politics; 8. International wildlife politics; 9. Wildlife politics, values, and ethics; 10. Hunting and wildlife politics; 11. Tourism: good or bad for conservation of wildlife?; 12. Conclusion.

Bruce Rocheleau is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Public Administration, Northern Illinois University.