Climate Change, Conservation and the Place for Wild Animal Welfare in International Law

There is an epistemological gulf between animal welfare and nature conservation that has, for the most part, frustrated a practical working relationship. Welfare components are scarce in international wildlife management law and are typically subordinate to conservation objectives. However, predictions concerning the combined effect of climate change and biodiversity decline describe a shrinking of the ‘wild’ and a reduction of natural habitats. The necessary conservation responses to this may force more species into controlled conditions and increase the need for conservation interventions that have an impact on the welfare of animals. In these circumstances the need to inject compassion into conservation law and policy becomes much greater. This article explores the trajectory of conservation and welfare legislation in the context of predicted climate changes and in so doing foresees the need for a more comprehensive and sophisticated international regulatory regime setting out animal welfare standards to support future conservation strategies.