Code of Ethics for Wildlife Biologist Prompt 2

Ethics is defined as moral principles that govern a group's or individual's behavior. When I think of ethics I like to think of a moral code or the code you live by. My personal code of ethics is relatively simple but it means the world to me.
1. All life is meaningful from the smallest insect to the largest animal.
2. Do not do anything to dishonor yourself or your family.
3. Work hard for what you want and don't expect things to be handed to you.
4. Protect those you love in any manner you can.
5. Do more good than harm.
This is just a brief example of the rules I follow everyday.


The American Birding Association is a group of people who watch and study birds. Their Code of Ethics on page 56 show what the organization believes in. Their main goal is to protect the birds and their habitats. They do not want people harming or disturbing the birds while they are being observed. As always they want people to respect each other which is the golden rule.
It is hard to find a code of ethics for wildlife biologist and if anyone finds one feel free to leave a comment I would love to read it. When working with animals you shouldn't over stress them or cause them unnecessary pain. I was watching North Woods Law the other day and they were recording data from a black bear. They were going to remove a tooth but the bear started to wake up. I am not sure why they wanted to take the bear's tooth but I know they wouldn't do it unless they knew it wouldn't harm the bear. I believe that it is a fair assumption that people who go into fisheries and wildlife have a love for nature and wouldn't do anything to intentionally disrupt it. In the code of ethics from the ABA (see above) the main goal is to protect the birds. I believe that the main goal is also to protect mammals and fish and all animals as well.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) believes that "Wildlife Warriors" don't do anything besides harm and stress the animals. Steve Irwin spent his life working with many different kinds of animals. They say at the beginning he did not truly understand the amount of stress he was putting on his animals. This can be said for anyone who is not an expert, if you don't know how to properly treat an animal you are likely to stress it out. As time went by he did learn how to handle the animals and became an iconic figure as a "Wildlife Warrior" and he still is iconic even though he has passed away. PETA would rather have people leave animals alone in general which I can understand.

Sometimes it is better to leave an animal be. But in order to further your knowledge about a species you have to study and record data from them. And if you do this right and follow a code of ethics and do not hurt the animal I believe that it is morally fine. Taking both of the professional sources into account I would add don't stress the animals you are working with. They are not some test subjects and their lives have meaning. The ABA code of ethics talks about respecting the environment and habitat of the animals. PETA gets a bad rep because of some of the things they do but I would also use their advice. Some animals do need to be left alone and if this is a judgement call I know my code of ethics will help me make the right decision.

-Jake B.



sources:
Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds In Research." The Ornithological Council, 1997. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.

"Steve Irwin: Not a True 'Wildlife Warrior'" PETA Steve Irwin Not a True Wildlife Warrior Comments. 2012. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.

North Woods Law. Dir. Kim Bates. 2012. Film.