Should we conserve animals because they have a 'right' to exist? (insects, wild)

[Trimac20]

You often hear people try to justify conservation by saying, 'we should preserve tigers so future generations can enjoy them.' Although we're animals, and most animals probably don't innately care for other species at least consciously (the eco-system has checks and balances usually so once species doesn't eliminate another) shouldn't we be high enough to preserve them because they have an innate right to be here? Of course a world without tigers or orang-utans would be much poorer, but I say let these magnificent creatures continue to do what they've been doing for millions of years!

[thunderkat59]

Humans think they are superior to animals for the exact reason they are not.
Dominion by violence is a trait that doesnt exist in species other than chimps and humans.
It saddens me daily the abuses of animals and nature I see for our gratuitous selfish desires.

[greatblueheron]

Same here...saddens me and makes me sick, too.

Originally Posted by thunderkat59

Humans think they are superior to animals for the exact reason they are not.
Dominion by violence is a trait that doesnt exist in species other than chimps and humans.
It saddens me daily the abuses of animals and nature I see for our gratuitous selfish desires.

[bjh]

Should we destroy animals because we think we have a "right" to?

[thunderkat59]

Originally Posted by bjh

Should we destroy animals because we think we have a "right" to?

The reality of our infrustructure and lifestyle, circa 2012 USA -- any "animal" problem is actually a people problem.

For example, 'Gators were never a problem in Florida until developers determined that area should be assaulted with thousands and thousands of square miles of malls, pain clinics, gated McMansion 'communities', cars and concrete . . . Somehow, American mindset now sees the Gator as the invader

[jtur88]

There was a case here just the other day. The department of highways did some work on a bridge, which included closing in an access opening where bats were living. When residents complained, the department said that a habitat of wild animals living in a man-made structure are not protected.

Victoria Advocate | Bats evicted as overpass repairs seal habitat

[bumpus7]

.
Kill and eat what ever animal you want ! ! ! . . .

Kill and destroy which ever animal is a problem to life or property ! ! ! . . .

People come first and animals have no righs over people ! ! ! ...
.

[animalcrazy]

Nature does a much better job with checks and balances than man has. It's a tricky issue. Do I understand the African poacher wanting to feed his children. Yes. Do I understand the need to preserve the animals in question. Yes. Man is creating an unbalanced planet which is going to cause problems for future generations. Man is the only one that can fix it. Maybe we could learn something from the native Americans that lived in harmony with nature. There has to be respect for all species.

[gentlearts]

Why do we always root for the antelope?

[Joke Insurance]

Let's kill all the bees (I know that they're insects) and see how well the ecosystems bode with that. The same can be applied to the animal species too.