Papers by Alexandra (Ally) Palmer
International Journal of Primatology, 2017
The majority of studies in ethnoprimatology focus on areas of sympatry where humans and nonhuman ... more The majority of studies in ethnoprimatology focus on areas of sympatry where humans and nonhuman primates (hereafter, primates) naturally coexist. We argue that much can be gained by extending the field's scope to incorporate settings where humans manage most aspects of primates' lives, such as zoos, laboratories, sanctuaries, and rehabilitation centers (hereafter, managed settings). We suggest that the mixed-methods approach of ethnoprimatology, which facilitates examination of both humans' and primates' responses to one another, can reveal not only how humans' ideas about primates shape management strategies, but also how those management strategies affect primates' lives. Furthermore, we note that a greater focus on managed settings will strengthen links between ethnoprimatology and primate rights/welfare approaches, and will introduce new questions into discussions of ethics in primatology. For example, managed settings raise questions about when it might be justifiable to restrict primates' freedom for a "greater good," and the desirability of making primates' lives more "natural" even if this would decrease their well-being. Finally, we propose that because ethnoprimatology is premised on challenging false dichotomies between categories of field site—specifically, between "natural" and "unnatural" free-ranging populations—it makes sense for ethnoprimatologists to examine settings in which humans exert considerable control over primates' lives, given that the distinction between "wild" and "captive" is similarly unclear.
Drawing on ethnographic, ethological, and historical data, we examined the relationships between ... more Drawing on ethnographic, ethological, and historical data, we examined the relationships between orangutans and caregivers at Auckland Zoo. Caregivers displayed high levels of empathy and adjusted their husbandry routines to their interpretations of the orangutans' moods. Caregivers experienced conflicts arising from their efforts to empathize. Although they agreed their husbandry approach improved welfare, they worried their interpretations of orangutan behavior were inaccurate anthropomorphic projections. However, caregivers' interpretations aligned well with ethological observations and with current knowledge of orangutan behavior. Caregivers' shared view of great apes as moral persons led to personal conflicts about the ethics of sacrificing individual orangutans' freedom for the greater good of the species. By exploring caregivers' personal conflicts, we aimed to inform debates about the politics of empathizing with animals, the role of zoos, and the ethics of keeping great apes in captivity. We argue the use of empathy is essential for engaging in intersubjective relationships.
Anthropologists are paying increasing attention to human/animal entanglements, rather than treati... more Anthropologists are paying increasing attention to human/animal entanglements, rather than treating animals merely as vehicles through which to explore human social life. We suggest that this emerging multispecies focus is best served by research that considers not only humans’ responses to animals but also their responses to us, and which attempts to access animals' subjective experiences. Following the interdisciplinary methods of ethnoprimatology, we used a combination of ethnography and ethology to study orangutans' relationships with one another, and caregivers' interpretations of orangutans' bonds, at Auckland Zoo, New Zealand. Drawing on two examples, we argue that integrating ethnography with both qualitative and quantitative descriptions of animal behavior can be useful for representing both species' daily lives, and for comparing interpretations obtained from different research methods. We conclude that although we were not able to capture the experiences of our human and orangutan participants equally, paying attention to both species highlighted how humans' interpretations of animals' motivations, relationships, and behavior differ depending on their roles and the tools they employ for understanding animals' experiences. We also suggest that using anecdotes and empathy in research with animals goes some way towards acknowledging animals’ agency and collapsing artificial distinctions between us and them.
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Papers by Alexandra (Ally) Palmer