LFC Seminar Series: Trading Rhino Horn for the Sake of Conservation: Dehorning the Dilemma Through a Legal Analysis of the Emergency of Animal Welfare

LFC Seminar Series: Trading Rhino Horn for the Sake of Conservation: Dehorning the Dilemma Through a Legal Analysis of the Emergency of Animal Welfare

Principal speaker

Professor Werner Scholtz

Abstract

Conservationists argue that sustainable utilization through commercialization of rare species has been proven to work in enhancing the survival chances of these species. Thus, in terms of this approach the regulated trade in rhino horn may be conducive to the conservation of rhinos and trophy hunting may be viewed as a conservation tool since the revenue earned through hunting may be used to fund costly conservation measures. The argument that the sustainable use of rhinos may promote conservation is opposed by exponents of animal welfare of individual animals. Concern about the manner in which people should treat animals has stimulated legal and ethical discourse on the implications of the suffering of animals. This is also evident in the field of international wildlife law where animal welfare concerns require a reconciliation between the objective of (anthropocentric) conservation with the need to recognise the welfare needs of sentient beings which are worth of moral recognition. Accordingly the presentation will critically provide a legal appraisal of the link between trade in rhino horn and the conservation thereof in the context of the relationship between animal welfare and conservation.

About the speaker

Werner Scholtz obtained his doctorate in law from Leiden University in 2001. Scholtz is a Senior Professor of Law in the Department of Public Law and Jurisprudence of the University of the Western Cape (South Africa) and a Visiting Professor at Lincoln Law School (UK). He specialises in international and regional (AU) environmental law. His current research focuses on the consequences of the increasing importance of animal welfare for international wildlife law. He established the Regional African Law and Human Security programme in 2010. Scholtz is an Alexander von Humboldt fellow and National Research Foundation rated researcher. Werner Scholtz has served on several International Law Association Committees.

About this seminar

Professor Werner Scholtz will present his Law Futures Seminar at the Griffith Law School (N61) Nathan campus with a videolink to the Griffith Law School (G36) Gold Coast campus. When registering for this seminar, please indicate in your email which campus you will attend.


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RSVP

RSVP on or before Monday 2 July 2018 , by email lawfutures@griffith.edu.au

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Session 1


Session 2