Man-animal Relationships Research Articles

Man-Animal relationship in D. H. Lawrence's twin novels, The Rainbow and Women in Love: A Zoocritical Perspective

Man-Animal relationship in D. H. Lawrence's twin novels, The Rainbow and Women in Love: A Zoocritical Perspective

Melampo & co.: the children's comic and the hierarchical stereotype of the man-animal relationship

Cada cómic infantil es un medio de evasión y al mismo tiempo profundamente formativo, porque su mensaje (explícito e implícito) es capaz de generar interpretaciones de la realidad. Un ejemplo es el eterno desafío entre el bien y el mal, que dirige a la infancia a distinguir las acciones correctas de las incorrectas: el cómic es, al final, una especie de 'guía de los valores subyacentes a las relaciones sociales'. Este artículo busca definir brevemente, a través del análisis de algunos clásicos del cómic de la primera mitad del siglo XX, cuál es la representación del mundo animal; cómo persiste la idea que los seres humanos son portadores de una conciencia y sentimientos "superiores" que los distinguirían también de los animales. ¿Se refuerza en el cómic infantil esa presunta 'inferioridad' sentimental que permitió (y permite) justificar, a su vez, la explotación del cuerpo animal? ¿Cómo se expresa esta jerarquía en el cómic? ¿Fortalece (o, más esporádicamente, contrasta) un modelo atribuible a la categoría de 'especismo'?

Man and Nature in <i>Walden</i>

Since <i>Walden</i> publication, it has been studied from a great variety of perspectives, but these studies mainly focus on Thoreau’s views on nature in general, or his ecological ideas. A detailed and comprehensive study of the animals in <i>Walden</i> is rarely seen. Examining the animals in <i>Walden</i>, this paper intends to probe into Thoreau’s positive philosophy of life. Through a detailed analysis of man-animal relationship in <i>Walden</i>, we are in a better position to understand Thoreau as a realist. His retreat to nature is not an escape, but an attempt to put his belief into practice, aiming to find a model for the harmonious co-existence between man and nature. The record of his simple life in <i>Walden</i> proves that man and nature can live in harmony with each other, and provides a good example for human beings to solve the spiritual and environmental crises.

Beyond Stereotypes. Knowledge and Medical Care in the Man-Animal Relationship

Beyond Stereotypes. Knowledge and Medical Care in the Man-Animal Relationship

Legal and Ethical Apprehensions Regarding Relational Object. The Case of Genetically Modified Fish

This paper is the result of a contribution between ethics and law, which will be used as thought-process tools, to address the complex issue of legal and ethical statuses of GM fish. To find answers, we propose to consider this issue from a wider angle, looking at the relations between the human, animal, and living worlds. We show that it is possible to construct other forms of intellectual logic that, without setting these worlds in opposition, do not lapse into relativism where boundaries are blurred. In this sense, we submit the hypothesis that ordered pluralism should help us to move past a mere Man–Animal relationship to reveal the entire complexity of relationships within mankind and between mankind and other (non-human) worlds alongside it and to which it belongs: the animal and living worlds. With this new logic, “animal ethics” and “animal law” are re-embedded into a set of relationships. This logic emerges from a new consideration: the nature of the contemporary objects we are dealing with. We shall call objects like genetically modified fish “relational objects” in the sense that in order to be apprehended, they utilize a set of relationships of which there are just as many as the dimensions forming them, not as predicates but as primary constituents. Experimentally, in the case of GM fish, we translate this by proposing to typologize legal and ethical considerations induced by multiple relations connected to this object. According to the type of relationship in question, the GM fish will not have the same status; it is a changing object that must be suitably apprehended.

Man-animal relationships in Central Nepal

BackgroundNepal is small in size but rich in bio-cultural diversity. The rugged terrain of the country is home to a number of unique assemblages of fauna, some of which are endemic. Not only faunal resources the country also harbors some very ancient populations whose interrelationship with these diverse faunal resources is very intimate and thus demands scientific study. Animals play important role in both material and spiritual spheres of their life. There are more than hundred groups of such populations in the country and the group Tamang is one of these. The present paper studies Tamang-animal relationships in central Nepal.There is a growing trend of scientific ethnozoological studies all across the globe, but this field is yet in its infancy in Nepal. The country is losing important fauna as well as ancient human cultures at the advent of development processes. As a result, ethnozoological knowledge is also teetering on the brink of extinction.MethodsEthnozoological data were collected by applying different participatory approaches techniques such as semi-structured interviews, participatory rural appraisal, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.Quantitative data were obtained by employing a household level questionnaire survey. Data were collected from the period of September 2004 to August 2005.Most of the animals were identified up to the species level with the help of standard taxonomic keys.ResultsThe Tamang community treasures knowledge on various uses of 41 genera belonging to 28 families. Out of total number of animals, 14.6% belong to the Invertebrate group and the rest to the Vertebrate group. Of the total uses 58% fall in the food and medicinal use category, 16% in the magico-religious use category, 18% in the category of omen indication, and 2% each in the categories such as weather forecasting, trophy, ethnomusical and taboos.ConclusionsThe Tamang maintain strong ties with animals both at a material as well as spiritual level. While some animals are the sources of important traditional medicines, others are omen indicators and weather forecasters. High priority should be given in conservation of those animals which are of high consensus value to the community.

Animal welfare in reared rabbits: a review with emphasis on housing systems.

Research on rabbit welfare has been fragmentary and to date has been performed by only a few European teams who have often neglected the productive and commercial aims of rabbit rearing. With European Project COST Action 848 (Multi-facetted research in rabbits: a model to develop healthy and safe production in respect with animal welfare), rabbit welfare began to be considered in European research projects with the focus mainly on ethology, welfare evaluation methods, doe-litter relationships, man-animal relationships, and reproducing and fattening housing systems. As regards legislation, since 1996 the Standing Committee for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes established in the European Council by the Convention on the Protection of farm animals (ETS 87/1976) has been preparing specific recommendations to ensure improved welfare of domestic rabbits kept for commercial purposes, which should provide the basis for future European and national regulations. European Commission asked the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) for its opinion on The impact of the current housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits. present paper provides a critical review of the existing literature on rabbit welfare with special emphasis on housing conditions.

Associação homem-animal: reflexos na economia

Os animais domésticos representam, na atualidade, uma viga de sustentação econômica, uma vez que, apesar da crise financeira e das altas taxas de desemprego que o País enfrenta, o ramo de "pet shop" encontra-se em franca expansão. Desta forma, há um estímulo direto e indireto para obtenção de animais de estimação, fortalecendo a relação homem-animal. Nesse sentido foi realizado um trabalho de investigação epidemiológica no Município de Bauru-SP, a fim de verificar o impacto desses animais na economia doméstica e na do município. Para tanto, utilizaram-se fichas de investigação, entrevistas pessoais e pesquisas em clínicas veterinárias, com uma amostragem de 115 proprietários de animais, dos quais 91 de cães e 24 de gatos. Considerando-se custos com alimentação, abrigo, remédios, vacinas e visita ao veterinário, em condições ideais de manutenção dos animais, obteve-se um custo estimado de R$401,00 e R$316,00 para cães no primeiro e segundo ano de vida, respectivamente, e de R$272,00 e R$232,00 para gatos no primeiro e segundo ano de vida, respectivamente. Deve haver um esforço maior das autoridades e das instituições de ensino para esclarecer à comunidade a respeito do impacto econômico que um animal de estimação pode causar no orçamento familiar e também sobre a importância desses animais enquanto transmissores de importantes doenças para a saúde pública, a fim de popularizar o conceito de posse responsável de animais.

The effect of an improved man–animal relationship on sex ratio in litters and on growth and behaviour in cubs among farmed silver fox ( Vulpes vulpes)

Earlier experiments indicate that silver foxes' fear of humans can be reduced by humans offering them food titbits. Sex ratio, cub growth and behaviour were examined in litters produced by multiparous silver fox vixens that had been given a titbit twice a week during pregnancy (G1, N=14) or received the same amount of human contact without any titbit (G2, N=14). The cubs were tested in an open field (1.15×1.15 m square area divided into a 5×5 square grid) at 30 days of age, when they were in the early stages of primary socialisation. Cub activity was recorded (number of grid lines crossed [Lc] during 3 min). There was no treatment-related difference in number of cubs born or cubs weaned at 49 days (4.9±0.3 and 4.1±0.4 vs. 4.8±0.5 and 3.8±0.4 for G1 and G2, respectively; NS). However, G1 vixens delivered a significantly higher proportion of male cubs than G2 vixens (64% vs. 51%, p<0.05; G1:3.1±0.4 male cubs, 1.8±0.3 female cubs; G2:2.5±0.4 male cubs, 2.3±0.3 female cubs). Female cubs from G1 vixens were more active in the open field (G1:51.4±4.8 Lc, G2:34.2±4.7 Lc, p<0.05) and heavier (49 days old, G1:1660±42 g, G2:1491±40 g, p<0.01) than the female G2 cubs. No significant differences in activity or live weight were found for male cubs (activity: G1:46.4±3.4 Lc, G2:37.1±4.3 LC, NS; weight 49 days old: G1:1716±29 g, G2:1729±37 g, NS). Reduced fear of humans during pregnancy affected the sex ratio in the litter as well as the growth and activity of female cubs in the silver fox.

Man-animal relationships: can bulls learn to distinguish between friendly and unfriendly people?

Man-animal relationships: can bulls learn to distinguish between friendly and unfriendly people?

On herding behavior

Herding behavior in ungulates is executed mainly by males. There are several forms of herding: guarding a single estrous female; rounding up a bunch of females during the rutting season; territorial herding by which a male keeps females inside his territory; herding of a moving, permanent, harem group; social herding in which group members of both sexes are herded by one dominant male. When put into this sequence, a phenotypical trend is illustrated, leading from an intimate connection of herding with mating behavior toward an increasing independence from sexual behavior and culminating in a complete socialization of herding. Aspects and problems of herding behavior are the recognition of, and the animal's respect for, partners in gregarious species; the animal “taking offense” at activities of others which deviate from its own activity; the active coordination and synchronization of group activities; the use of, and the effects of, threat, dominance and courtship displays in herding; the possibility of substitution among expressive displays in relation to partners of different sex; the communicative function of the animal's orientation relative to the partner; social hierarchy and leadership in a group; the possibility of interspecific herding, particularly in man-animal relationships, which is closely linked to the process of domestication.

Effects of early handling on heifers' subsequent reactivity to humans and to unfamiliar situations

The influence of early handling on the behavioural and physiological responses of Friesian heifers to unfamiliar situations and human manipulation was studied. Forty abimals were used. The animals were reared in 4 groups of 10, under standard artificial husbandry conditions. Animals of one group (control animals) were handled only in respect of the demands of normal husbandry. Experimental animals were subjected to additional handling, which consisted of brushing twice a day and leading with a halter. All handled animals received the same amount of handling (30 days) but at different periods in life: 3 days/week from 0 to 3 months of age (Group 0–3); 3 days/week from 6 to 9 months of age (Group 6–9); or 3 days/month from 0 to 9 months of age (Group –9). When the animals were 15 months old, each heifer, from each treatment group, was tested individually and once only in a set of behavioural tests designed to investigate fearfulness (in the presence or absence of human contact) and the ease with which the animal could be handled. Animals from Group 0–9, and to a lesser extent those from Group 6–9, were less reactive than controls in tests involving the presence of a human. However, in most cases Group 0–3 animals did not differ significantly from controls. Thus, it would appear that only prolonged handling during early life substantially influences man-animal relationships. In the fear-eliciting tests, which did not involve human contact, only the responses of Group 0–9 animals differed significantly from those of the controls. It is suggested that temporary prolonged handling influences the expression of fear responses in heifers.

Deux modèles du rapport entre l'homme et l'animal dans les systèmes de représentations

Two Models of the Man-Animal Relationship in Systems of Representation The widespread absence in Aboriginal Australia of beliefs in animal souls, of spirits masters of hunting, of the idea of a man-animal contract, and of ceremonies for winning the favor of animals, means that the conceptions of man-animal relationships are very different from those prevalent in America or Siberia. An examination of myths about the theft of fire leads to the same conclusion, as does a re-examination of totemism.

History of genetic engineering of laboratory and farm animals.

In the last few hundred years, man has learned that the tools of ge netic selection are a powerful means of improving the utility of livestock. Genetic engineering of animals appears to be a logical extension of the man-animal relationship; albeit one that places more responsibility on man in his efforts to develop an ecosystem in which both man and animals persist. The prospects for genetic engineering of farm animals have improved dramatically because of recent discoveries in the field of gene regulation. Two fundamental tools have made possible the recently reported successful insertion of a cloned human growth hormone gene into pigs and sheep (21). These tools or biotechnologies are embryo micromanipulation and recombinant DNA technology. Judicious application of embryo manipulation and recombinant DNA will provide an opportunity to increase the utilization of animals for food, fiber, and biomedical products. Combining genetic manipulation with the well-established biotechnologies of semen and embryo preservation has increased man’s options for preserving genetic resources that at present seem to be dwindling through the loss of animal species in a technology-dominated world. In this chapter, I will discuss methods of genetic manipulation developed since 1950 that appear to have made the most impact on efforts to genetically engineer farm animals. I will also discuss the potential and problems that have arisen with different approaches to engineering animals. The development of recombinant DNA techniques is outside the scope of this chapter, but is obviously an essential part of genetic engineering.

Evidence for domestication of the dog 12,000 years ago in the Natufian of Israel

THREE canid finds from the Natufian in the northern Israeli sites of Bin Mallaha (Eynan) and Hayonim terrace indicate a special man–animal relationship. These consist of a diminutive carnassial and mandible, and a wolf or dog puppy skeleton buried with a human. The finding of a puppy skeleton in such close association with man is of particular significance as an indication of a close relationship between man and dog.

Fire Ecology, Animal Populations and Man: a Study of some Ecological Relationships in Prehistory

SummaryThe occurrence of fires in many types of woodland and forested environments would have benefited human populations in several different ways. In addition to greatly increasing the mobility of the human groups, the occurrence of fire in many types of forest would have led to substantial improvements in the economic potential of the environment. Improvements in both the quantity and nutritional quality of the food supplies available to herbivorous animals would have increased not only the total carrying capacity of the environment for these species, but also the relative growth-rates and reproductive rate of the animals. In certain cases it is likely that burning would have increased the overall ‘productivity’ of ungulate populations by a factor of × 10. Similar improvements may have been achieved in the yields of certain vegetable food resources. The potential impact of these environmental changes on the population numbers and settlement patterns of human communities is discussed, and it is suggested that the adoption of systematic policies of forest burning by hunting and gathering populations may have led in certain situations to the emergence of more complex patterns of man-animal relationships which were closely similar to those of traditional ‘herding’ or ‘pastoralist’ economies.

Early animal husbandry

Prehistoric man-animal relationships can be studied from both a zoological and an archaeological viewpoint. Despite the considerable degree of overlap between the approaches the interests of the two disciplines are substantially different. It is important that archaeology should develop hypotheses concerned primarily with human behaviour. Animal husbandry can be viewed as a group of close relationships between man and animals, in which man derives benefit from a dependable and efficient exploitation. Such relationships are not necessarily confined either to the modern farmyard domesticates or to the Holocene period. It is to be expected that the exploitation of species which provided food staples was regulated so as to favour the success of both species involved in the relationship. Reindeer, red deer, fallow deer, and gazelle were successfully exploited for long periods, in certain cases many millennia. The data at some sites suggest that individual human groups may have been dependent upon particular herds or populations of animals on a year-round basis. The slaughter patterns, where they are known, show a selective pattern of exploitation as opposed to a random kill. These Pleistocene economies illustrate the difficulty of accommodating archaeological data successfully to the zoological wild/domestic classification. A more appropriate classification for archaeological purposes will be concerned with variations in human behaviour rather than in animal morphology. Such a classification may as usefully indicate the continuities in human and animal behaviour, as concentrate exclusively on a single dramatic change.

Salvaging the term “domestication” for certain types of man-animal relationship: the possible value of an eight-point scoring system

Salvaging the term “domestication” for certain types of man-animal relationship: the possible value of an eight-point scoring system

On Wilkinson's Model for Man-Animal Relationships in Prehistory

On Wilkinson's Model for Man-Animal Relationships in Prehistory

Oomingmak: A Model for Man-Animal Relationships in Prehistory

Oomingmak, the Eskimo term for ox, is also the name of the Musk Ox Domestication Project of the Institute of Northern Agricultural Research. The musk ox has been domesticated so that its fine underwool (qiviut), which is shed annually, can be used to develop a uniquely artic textile industry, thus helping to alleviate the widespread poverty of the Arctic peoples without conflicting with their cultural heritage. This paper considers the archaeological implications of the Project. The incentive to domestication is shown to be a combination of economic, social, ecological, and technological pressures, and similar complexity may have characterised prehistoric domestication. The process of capturing and taming the animals, their breeding, the importance of climate, and the economic advantages of domestication are discussed and their relevance to prehistoric studies assessed. An attempt is made to define domestication, and it is concluded that man-animal relationships are too varied to be classed under...