Ecologist questions ethics of confrontational conservation

Wayne Linklater, one of New Zealand’s leading ecologists, has called on conservation advocates to show more respect for “other people’s opinions and values”.

Linklater, a wildlife biologist at Victoria University of Wellington, said that some scientists seem “determined to achieve conservation goals by riding rough-shod over the values” of those who disagree with them on issues such as predator control methods.

In an editorial published by the university, he describes hearing “colleagues expressing their delight” at criticisms of cat owners by controversial NZ public commentator Gareth Morgan.