"Animal Welfare and Alien Species " Lecture

"Animal Welfare and Alien Species " Lecture

Time: 15 February 2022 (Tuesday) 14:00 - 16:30

Aims: To popularise and promote knowledge about animal welfare in Japan.

Lecturer: Mr Tohru IKEDA (Professor, Hokkaido University)

Number of participants: 40 people.

Summary: The problem of alien species poses a major threat to biodiversity conservation and human society and is being addressed as a pressing issue in many regions. As the target species are living organisms, consideration for animal welfare is also essential.

Unfortunately, however, the general public does not have a deep understanding of this issue, and there is a tendency for emotional debate to focus solely on the merits of the measures being taken. In this issue, we will consider animal welfare in the context of invasive alien species.15 February 2022 we held an online lecture on the topic of alien species and animal welfare, and invited Mr.Tohru IKEDA, a professor at Hokkaido University, to give a detailed introduction and explanation on alien species and animal welfare, and to discuss and exchange with the participants in a Q&A session at the end.

What are alien species? What are the dangers?

Alien species are organisms that were not originally present in an area but have been artificially introduced from other areas. Some of these, can have significant ecological and economic impacts and are treated as environmental problems. Synonyms include invasive species, naturalised species, invasive species and alien species.

Invasive species may lead to the decline and extinction of native wildlife and changes in native vegetation. Local ecosystems may be disturbed by alien species eating and destroying the flora and fauna that originally inhabited them. Competition takes away and exterminates native organisms with similar food and habitat. In addition, genetic interference can occur if alien species mate with native species and produce hybrids. Many surveys of specific wildlife may also be significantly affected.

Not only the ecological community, but alien species can have a significant deleterious effect on human society. This is particularly true for agriculture.

Animal welfare of alien species

The problem of invasive alien species is a major threat to biodiversity conservation and human society, and urgent measures are being taken in many regions to remove them. But as the target species are living organisms, consideration of animal welfare is also crucial here.

Unfortunately, however, the general public does not have a deep understanding of the issue and there is a tendency for emotional debates to focus only on the merits of the measures taken.

Very often, for example, it is assumed that many alien species have to come to new areas as a result of human activity, and that they continue to develop in new areas eventually causing bad effects. The animals themselves are innocent and eradication action against them is incorrect and unwarranted. I am sure that many people have thought that animals are innocent and would like to take a more moderate approach. This idea can be understood.

But the reality is harsh. Once an alien species has taken root in an area, it is difficult to predict its development and control it. It may be that by the time an alien species is discovered it may be too late. That is, it may be difficult to eradicate or control it by the time it is discovered. But not controlling it can have irreversible consequences.

It has been suggested that alien species could be returned to their original habitat or farmed or something like that. Unfortunately, the financial costs involved are often unacceptable and unaffordable.

Animals are closely related to human life. And concern for the welfare of animals is also concern for people themselves. From farm animals to wildlife, protecting animals and caring for their welfare will take us a long way.