Sustaining the Utilisation of Species and Ecosystems

Over the past 30 years or so, more and more nations have come to recognise the importance of conservation in social affairs and biological research. Every country has developed ideas of conservation to suit the cultural and scientific needs of its own people.

In the 18th and 19th Centuries in Europe, hunting as a sport became very popular and the importance of game species came into being. The term 'wildlife' was closely associated with preservation of game animals. For example, the work of the American Fish and Wildlife Service was primarily concerned with those animals of interest to the hunter and sportsman, although this has been changing. Nowadays, wildlife is internationally defined as including all species of animals and plants found in nature.