Kangaroos and Dragons: how much is a species worth?

Abstract

The article explores the moral conflict between individual animal rights and the value of species conservation, using the culling of kangaroos to save earless dragons in Australia as a case study. The author argues that species do not possess nonderivative final value and thus cannot justify the infringement of individual rights. While recognizing the instrumental and contributory value of species, the paper rejects philosophical arguments that claim species have nonderivative value, such as the replication argument and the last person argument. The author concludes that while there are important conservation duties, they should not violate individual rights, as exemplified by the kangaroo culling practice, which must be abolished.