Anthropomorphism: A silent Danger to wildlife Conservation

Introduction

This paper addresses a critical issue that permeates contemporary discussions about wildlife: the insidious danger of anthropomorphism. Often well-intentioned, attempts to attribute human emotions and motivations to wild animals prove harmful and undermine sound conservation practices.

The author strongly condemns the spread of misinformation about wildlife management, particularly the tendency to interpret animal behavior through an anthropocentric lens. The example of attributing laughter to an elephant highlights the absurdity of such projections. Animals operate within their own complex communication systems and social structures, which are fundamentally different from human experiences.

Treating wild animals as if they possess human-like emotions, such as happiness or compassion, fuels a dangerous misconception. It leads individuals to believe that intervention is always beneficial, ignoring the potential harm caused by disrupting natural behaviors and ecosystems. Wild animals do not seek human companionship or gratitude. They are driven by instinctive needs for survival and reproduction.

The author's vehement plea to stop anthropomorphizing wildlife stems from a deep understanding of ecological principles. Acclimating animals to human presence can have negative consequences for individuals and entire populations. It can lead to increased vulnerability to predators, disease transmission, and changes in foraging patterns. Furthermore, it disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems, potentially causing ripple effects on biodiversity.

Rather than seeking emotional connections with wild animals, conservation efforts should prioritize scientific research, habitat preservation, and responsible human behavior in natural environments. Recognizing the intrinsic value of wildlife and respecting its autonomy is crucial to ensuring its long-term survival. Ultimately, cultivating a sense of appreciation for nature's wildness, rather than seeking to domesticate it, is crucial to safeguarding biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems for future generations.

Analysis of a Wild Species Now Anthropomorphized: A Case Study

One of the many examples of wild animals present in urban contexts that have been anthropomorphized is the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). In recent decades, as a result of miscommunication through social media and other media channels, hedgehogs have been continuously supplied with food by urban residents, both directly and indirectly, leaving food for feline colonies. 

This situation has a series of consequences:

• Predator-predator interaction: Artificial feeding induces interaction between hedgehogs and domestic cats, species that, in nature, would have a predator-prey relationship.

• Food competition: Feeding at predetermined feeding spots allows multiple hedgehogs to gather at the same time on the same resource (kibble). Hedgehogs are solitary animals, except during mating season, and in the wild they avoid encounters with other conspecifics. Artificial feeding eliminates natural food competition.

• Sedentary lifestyle: Hedgehogs, accustomed to actively seeking out their food sources (insects, small vertebrates, carrion), become sedentary and confine themselves to foraging areas. The author's personal observations have revealed European hedgehogs sleeping near cats' roosts, where food is also provided.

Furthermore, the risk of cross-species infection, particularly between cats and hedgehogs, should not be underestimated. Anthropomorphism represents a silent threat to wildlife conservation. Greater awareness of the importance of respecting animals' autonomy and considering their specific needs is needed. Only by adopting a science-based approach and respect for natural ecosystems can we ensure the survival of biodiversity for future generations.

Bibliography for further reading

• Giovanni Perretta, "Management of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), Rescue and Release Protocol," ISBN 979-1222709-04-8