About the project
Norwegian wolves, brown bears, wolverines and lynx are all endangered, and the subject of much debate. Some groups advocate for more protection, while others want to reduce the populations further. At the same time, Norway has ratified the Bern Convention (The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats), meant to protect the large predators. Yet, they are subjected to both legal and illegal hunts.
In her PhD project “Large Predator Management Versus the Intrinsic Value of Animals”, Lie studies how Norway attends to its international commitments to ensure the large predators’ survival. Lie is especially interested in the courts’ role in evaluating whether the commitments are fulfilled, and in the divide between legal and illegal hunts. She also examines whether the large predator management regime and the courts regard these animals as individuals with intrinsic value, or solely as members of endangered and debated species.
Lie analyses verdicts from penal cases on illegal predator hunts, and judgements from court cases where environmental NGOs contest official hunting decisions. The latter type of cases are also observed in court. In addition, Lie interviews the judges about their experiences of adjudicating in such trials, international versus Norwegian law, and law versus politics. The plaintiff organizations are also interviewed.
Method
The project is based on case studies of verdicts concerning both illegal large predator hunts, and official hunting decisions. This is supplemented by observation of court cases and in-depth interviews with plaintiffs and judges. Additionally, Lie conducts a discourse analysis of verdicts from penal cases on illegal hunts.
Project period
The project runs over four years, ending in spring 2025.
Financing
The project is part of Criminal justice, wildlife conservation and animal rights in the Anthropocene (CRIMEANTHROP), funded by The Research Council of Norway. Project number 289285.