Article: Private Functional Wildlife Trusts

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.