Wild Animal Ethics

Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering is a 2020 book by philosopher Kyle Johannsen, published by Routledge. The book explores whether humans have moral obligations to reduce wild animal suffering and argues, from a deontological standpoint, that such duties exist. It examines sources of suffering in nature, including predation, disease, and environmental hardship, and considers possible forms of intervention, such as habitat management and genetic engineering. Johannsen also discusses objections concerning the value of naturalness, liberty, and the ethical risks of intervention.

The work has been discussed in academic contexts, including a symposium in Philosophia featuring commentaries by Clare Palmer, Bob Fischer, Nicolas Delon, and others. Reviewers noted its contribution to debates on animal ethics and the moral relevance of suffering in the wild, while questioning some of its assumptions and practical implications.