Hoppers is a deceptively simple story that opens up complex ethical and scientific questions.

Jerry (Jon Hamm), the mayor of Beaverton, has marked a forest glade for destruction, so commuters can save four minutes of drive time. The plan is environmentally assessed as feasible given no animals seem to live there.

But Mabel (Piper Curda) fights to save the glade, using the newest technology to put her mind into an animatronic beaver robot. This allows her to communicate with the animals and coordinate their collective action.

In classic Disney fashion, the town is saved, the mayor realises he was wrong, and everyone goes on to live in harmony.

It may seem like standard animated fare. But Hoppers reflects real scientific themes.

Understanding habitat rights

Infrastructure development can lead to habitat destruction, wildlife population declines, overcrowding and increased human-animal conflict.

Habitat rights can lead to complex debates between people living in close proximity to “pest” animals, conservationists, politicians and philosophers. These debates often expose human-centric biases: the assumption that human lives and concerns are more important than animal lives and concerns.

Some researchers argue animals have the right to their native habitat, akin to property rights – and humans have a responsibility to recognise those rights.

It becomes more complicated when we have to prioritise one species over another in terms of essential........

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