ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses one of the ‘hard cases’ of nature’s rights: the case of invasive alien species. The question is how to balance the conservation of endangered species with the individual interests of invasive species. In this chapter, some of the recurring contradictions in the rights of nature framework are tackled through the lens of invasive species. Taking the case of the grey squirrel (sciurus carolimensis) as a starting point, the moral and legal issues surrounding the eradication of invasive species are assessed considering the current developments in the literature and case law. It is concluded that, whereas invasive species need to be contained at an early stage, full-fledged eradication programmes are only justifiable when no other alternatives remain as to the containment of invasive species. Since this more moderate approach to the management of invasive species appears already mandatory in the context of the existing regulatory framework, this chapter puts forward that it is also the way forward in the context of future rights of nature manifestations.
