Private Functional Wildlife Trusts

Authors

• Stuart W. Babcock

Abstract

Public wildlife law is clear: wild animals exist and are managed for the public writ large. This is a mistake. Wild animals are beings of moral concern; their lives can be good or bad, better or worse, and they should be treated accordingly. This article explores a novel legal instrument which can account for wild animals' unique interests and circumstances: private wildlife trusts, in which wild animals are the trust beneficiaries. Wildlife trusts pose distinctive management and implementation challenges. This article aims to provide a path forward for wildlife advocates seeking new tools to protect wild animals and the habitats they call home.

Recommended Citation

Babcock, Stuart W. (2025) "Private Functional Wildlife Trusts," ACTEC Law Journal: Vol. 51: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.hofstra.edu/acteclj/vol51/iss1/2