The word “anthropomiorphize” itself icomes from the same old school of so-called science used to say animals did not have personalities either. That old “science” used to say that unless a white human saw the trait or behavior in any species, it could not possibly exist outside of a precis or book. The list of errors in that so-called science, is long. And the arrogance of it, is often resisted by those who actually live with animals, but not for a living.

A friend at a raptor rescue and I were just laughing over that old term last week, re an eagle rescue where a pompous young zoologist, instead of doing the gritty rescue work, wanted instead to lecture the poor people of the woods who found her, about “anthropomorphizing the eagle.

Examples of “mis-mothering' in the wild occur when creatures are ill or the ecology has been disturbed. That goes without saying. Basic observation. Dont have to go to school for that.

I think science and anthro and more importantly ethnology and psychology and neurobiology can complement one another, and the generous friends I have in those fields definitely bridge several disciplines with questions about what might be, can be… open inquiry. They are rare and gifted.

Reading the 'animal behavior' texts of even fifty years ago, the reductionist takes on wild animals coming from those who 'scientificize' animals ONLY, and who learned about animal behavior from books instead of from living with creatures in a broad ecosystem for years, has too often contibuted to wide failures to grasp animal pain, how to help, protect, and also leave creatures alone.

For me personally, I'll stick with friends who have lived it: Jane G and my Hopi, Navajo and Lakota friends, as well as friends from India, Africa and Alaska who live with creatures daily. They are my most trusted resources. As well as my own early life in the northwoods.

I see that you care for creatures, mermaid. That you like to know about them. That's good, regardless. I see you live in a particular world with a particular worldview. I may not see your way, but you are welcome in the world I know.

Read the Story of B. It also has a very important message for all of us.

Dr. cpe, thank you for your words of wisdom.

jmariposa

The first female elephant in the United States to be bred was owned by the crooks who owned the Rocky Mountain News.

The female elephant promptly and apparently deliberately rolled over on the baby and crushed it. I've always wondered if just did not want her child to live in the hell they put her in.

Mothers losing the instinct………..innocence crying……….saved by man……….only to have the solution create another problem. Heartbreaking.

I know I can't go to the zoo, anymore than I can go to a prison without clicking off my conscience to watch what's left of wildness on display. Yet, if I can do that, it's fun and sad, too.