A wildlife biologist's first loyalty must be to protect wildlife resources and the public interest, and at times this may call for advocacy. Nevertheless, for the professional, advocacy is a double-edged sword, and should not be undertaken lightly; it should be resorted to only in the presence of strong evidence of harm and when alternatives have been exhausted. Personal values must be recognized so that they do not influence objectivity. Evidence for statements must be presented and opinions clearly labeled as such. Credibility, the first requirement of a professional, is difficult to acquire and easy to lose. Credibility is earned by having a thorough knowledge of a field and applying that knowledge fairly and objectively. A professional must not claim expertise outside of his/her specialty. Advocating frequently or questionably will result in loss of credibility. Consequently, each person should decide how he/she can best contribute to wildlife conservation as a professional or as an advocate.
|
