Photo John E. Marriott

Our Conservation Ethics

Giving wildlife a voice means standing up for their dignity, not just their survival.

At Exposed Wildlife Conservancy (EWC), our conservation work is rooted in the belief that wildlife has intrinsic value beyond human use. Every action we take, whether it's advocacy, research, or education, is guided by our commitment to compassion, science, and respect for the natural world.

Photo Colleen Gara

We Respect Wildlife as Sentient Beings

We follow Parks Canada’s guidelines to stay a minimum of 30 meters (3 bus lengths) away from any non-predatory animals. For predators, such as bears and wolves, we keep a distance of at least 100 meters. With this being said, if the animal is showing us that it prefers a larger distance between it and ourselves, we will honour this and keep a further distance. 

We Base Our Work on Science

Wild animals are not trophies, resources, or entertainment. They are complex, intelligent beings who deserve to live free from unnecessary suffering. We oppose any practice that commodifies or exploits wildlife for sport, profit, or personal gain.

We Oppose Trophy and Commercial Hunting

Our campaigns are grounded in the best available independent research. We use science not to justify harm, but to challenge outdated practices and promote ethical, evidence-based solutions to conservation challenges.

We Respect Cultural and Subsistence Hunting

We acknowledge the important distinction between recreational hunting and subsistence harvesting. We respect the rights of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities who hunt for food and cultural continuity, and do not target these practices in our advocacy.

We Are Committed to Reconciliation

True conservation includes justice. We support Indigenous-led conservation efforts, recognize Indigenous rights and sovereignty, and aim to decolonize how we approach wildlife protection. We are committed to building meaningful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities.

We Minimize Harm

From the field to our operations, we practice low-impact, ethical methods. Whether it’s how we travel, the materials we use, or how we photograph wildlife, we prioritize coexistence and care.

We Tell Ethical Stories

All of our photography, video, and storytelling is done respectfully and truthfully, never using baiting, call-ins, or manipulation. We want you to see wildlife as they are: wild, complex, and deserving of protection.

We Practice Non-Invasive Research

We only support research that respects wildlife and ecosystems. That means using trail cameras, observation, non-invasive DNA collection, and community science, not capture, collaring, or invasive techniques that cause stress or harm.

Ethics aren’t a checkbox, they’re the foundation of how we work.

We hold ourselves accountable to these principles in every partnership, project, and campaign

Have questions about our ethics or how we apply them in the field? Contact us.