The Relevance of Wild Animal Suffering

Abstract

Wild animal suffering is a neglected issue of large scale. For every human, thousands to billions of wild animals likely exist, a majority of which are invertebrates. Even if their average suffering is lower than that of farmed animals, the total amount is plausibly greater. While humans already impact wild animal welfare through various activities like agriculture and pollution, these interventions are rarely made to benefit the animals themselves. Though the tractability of reducing wild animal suffering appears low due to the complexity of ecosystems, it is important to start researching welfare biology now. This research could involve developing a deeper understanding of animal suffering in the wild and exploring potential interventions, such as contraceptives, vaccines, and wildlife crossings. Despite the inherent risks, intervening in the wild, even on a small scale, is crucial given the immense suffering that occurs naturally. Furthermore, fostering concern for wild animal welfare among future scientists and influencers is essential to ensure the well-being of wild animals in the long term. – AI-generated abstract.