The term “wildlife” seems straightforward, suggesting any animal not kept as a pet. However, classifying an animal as wildlife is a complex determination with significant biological and legal weight. This classification considers an animal’s genetic history, its relationship with human society, and its ability to thrive independently in nature. This classification dictates conservation efforts, property rights, and government authority.
Defining Wildlife: The Biological Perspective
From a biological standpoint, an animal is classified as wildlife based on its independence from human influence. The core criterion is the animal’s undomesticated status, meaning its species has never been genetically altered through selective breeding for human benefit. True wildlife maintains a self-sustaining population, reproducing and surviving without needing direct human intervention for food, shelter, or medical care.
These animals live freely within their natural habitat, relying entirely on the ecosystem’s resources for survival. Their behavior and genetic makeup are shaped by natural selection, adapting to their environment rather than to a niche created by humans. For example, a gray wolf is wildlife because its existence is governed by forces outside of human control, unlike a domestic dog.
The Spectrum of Classification: Domesticated, Feral, and Invasive Species
The biological definition of wildlife is complicated by a spectrum of human interaction, creating categories distinct from purely wild animals.
Domesticated Animals
Domesticated animals are those whose species have undergone multi-generational genetic change through artificial selection to be more useful to humans. This process results in traits like increased docility and dependence, meaning domesticated species, such as cattle or chickens, cannot survive without human aid.
Feral Animals
A feral animal is an individual of a domesticated species that has escaped or been released and now lives in a wild state, establishing a self-sustaining population. Feral pigs or feral cats retain the genetic legacy of their domesticated ancestors. While they live without human care, their presence is viewed differently from native wildlife because they are not a natural part of the ecosystem.
Invasive Species
Invasive species are non-native animals that cause ecological or economic harm to their new environment, regardless of their domesticated status. A non-native species, like the European starling in North America, is biologically wild but is classified as invasive due to its disruptive impact on native ecosystems. Their management is focused on eradication or control, contrasting sharply with the conservation goals for native wildlife.
Why the Classification Matters: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
The classification of an animal as wildlife carries immense weight, establishing the legal and regulatory framework for its management and protection. This distinction determines which governmental authority holds jurisdiction over the animal and how it can be used or conserved. In many countries, the Public Trust Doctrine applies, meaning that wildlife is not owned by private landowners but is held in trust by the government for the benefit of all citizens.
This legal status means that the state or federal government dictates the rules for hunting, fishing, and trapping, even on private land. The classification also determines an animal’s conservation status, subjecting it to state or federal conservation laws if it is threatened or endangered.
Property Rights and Liability
The legal framework impacts property rights and liability. Because wildlife is considered res nullius—belonging to no one until legally captured—a landowner cannot claim ownership of a deer or bear simply because it resides on their property. This system of regulation ensures that wildlife populations are managed as a shared natural resource.