Why Must We Conserve Wildlife?
The current crisis of biodiversity loss, observed in the loss of wild flora and fauna, among other things, represents a threat to the future health and prosperity of humanity. Wildlife, as a fundamental component of biodiversity and ecosystems, is an important factor to consider as part of the process of reflection that is the aim of this article. Despite current interest in this topic, there is a lack of clarity about what wildlife signifies, whether it benefits or is detrimental to humans and whether it should be conserved, and why. There is therefore a need to begin to rethink our approach to valuing biodiversity and to seek common ground regarding the priorities that must be established for the use of available human and financial resources in search of present and future health and prosperity. This opinion paper aims to provide information as a starting point for reflection, describing some of the views (mainly utilitarian) on wildlife and its value as seen in diverse social sectors, and to present the author’s opinion about the degree of relevance that should be placed on wildlife conservation, in a context that mainly takes human objectives into account.
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En calidad de autor del artículo, declaro que este, es un trabajo original, inédito, de mi creación exclusiva, que no se ha postulado a evaluación simultánea en otra publicación y que no cuenta con algún impedimento de cualquier naturaleza para la concesión de los derechos previstos en este contrato.
En ese sentido, me comprometo a esperar un resultado de evaluación de la revista, antes de considerar su presentación a otro medio, en caso de que la respuesta de publicación no sea positiva; adicionalmente, me comprometo a responder por cualquier acción de reivindicación, plagio u otra clase de reclamación que al respecto pudiera sobrevivir por parte de terceros.
Asimismo, declaro que como autor o coautor, estoy de acuerdo por completo con los contenidos presentados en este trabajo y cedo todos los derechos patrimoniales, es decir, la reproducción, comunicación pública, distribución, divulgación, transformación, puesta a disposición y demás formas de explotación de la obra por cualquier medio o procedimiento, a la revista y a la Editorial de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia.
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