Beyond saving lives: Political ecology, animal welfare, and the challenges of wildlife rehabilitation in Costa Rica

Human-Animal Interactions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 25, 2025

Abstract Wildlife rehabilitation in Costa Rica is a deeply complex and often precarious endeavor, shaped by the intersection of local socio-political realities, environmental pressures, inherent limitations centers themselves. These factors not only challenge governance wildlife conservation but also profoundly affect daily lives staff nonhuman animals they care for (hereafter simplicity). This ethnobiology study doctoral pilot an extension longitudinal led second fifth authors that commenced 2021. explores lived experiences veterinarians, staff, two prominent Rica. Findings provide insights into ways external socio-political-ecological forces intertwine with everyday practices animal centers. research was conducted over 2-weeks late 2024, approximately 65 hours participant observation 39 in-depth interviews volunteers, staff. Through immersive ethnographic fieldwork, data were gathered through observation, semi-structured unstructured interviews, archival data. Data recorded using field notes, which later coded analyzed. The primary focus this to understand quotidian realities resource constraints, emotional labor, ethical dilemmas, team dynamics, while considering broader cultural, political, ecological, shape process. Three key thematic findings emerged from study: (1) operational challenges due restraints complexities communication teamwork within centers, (2) tensions practitioners face when balancing compassionate institutional limitations, (3) effects sociopolitical how well-intentioned policies, aimed at protecting wildlife, result unintended negative consequences individual welfare. underscores layered suggests need more integrated approach lens accounts goals individualized care. demonstrates can inform biological positive methodological feedback loop, where logical next steps should be carry out focuses on behavior (ethology) measurable indicators stress (e.g., cortisol analysis) better assess welfare conditions each phase

Language: Английский

A field-based Conservation Welfare Assessment Framework for Costa Rican primate sanctuaries

Human-Animal Interactions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 22, 2025

Abstract This article offers a methodological contribution to the study of field-based wild animal welfare assessments in developing tourism contexts. Grounded interdisciplinary fields conservation and ethnoprimatology, it introduces preliminary, non-invasive, transdisciplinary, Conservation Welfare Assessment Framework (CWAF) tailored non-human primate sanctuary attractions Costa Rica. holistic approach provides 24 evaluative criteria across eight categories: mental experiences, good environment, physical health, events, projects, community outreach, environmental education . Emphasizing relational accessible methodology similar multispecies ethnography, framework encourages mixed, socio-ecological methods including participant observation, behavioural document review, social inquiry with key informants, members, tourists guide data collection. Finally, I reviewed framework’s applications suggestions for future research.

Language: Английский