Getting to grips with wildlife research by citizen scientists: What role for regulation?

Abstract

1. Wildlife research by citizen scientists, involving the capture and handling of ani-mals, provides clear scientific benefits, but also potential risks to animal welfare.We explore debates about how best to regulate such work to ensure that it isundertaken in an ethical manner. 2. We focus on the UK as a case study, drawing on qualitative research and stake-holder engagement events. We show that because trapping and marking of cer-tain species requires minimal licensing, training and justification, some argue forincreased formal regulation to minimise risks to animal welfare. However, oth-ers have reflected on the already complex regulatory landscape affecting wildliferesearch, and have expressed concern that introducing additional formal regula-tions could potentially make citizen science working with wildlife more difficult.Informal regulation could therefore offer a preferable alternative. 3. We set out three steps that could be taken to open up conversations about ethicsand regulation of wildlife-focussed citizen science, in the UK and elsewhere: (a)take stock of wildlife-focussed citizen science in terms of numbers and harms toanimal welfare; (b) assess the state of formal regulations and consider reforms; and(c) consider informal regulations as alternatives or additions to formal regulations.