Ekaterini Malea, Evangelos Panagiaris Maleas, Iliani Panagiari Malea and Georgios Panagiaris
Abstract
The distinction between Homo sapiens and non-human animals carries significant cultural baggage: unlike Homo sapiens, all other animals are often considered insapient. This distinction implies that non-human animals embody undesirable traits, such as filth, irrationality, unreliability, lust, greed, and the potential for sudden violence.
As a result, we frequently—and often unconsciously—engage in systematic discrimination against non-human animals through “speciesist language.” This type of language conveys prejudice or negative attitudes towards animals, contributing to the institutionalization of social practices that accept animal abuse.
Moreover, the primary representations of animals in our collective consciousness typically include:
a. Animals as human property, which has historically been their main attribute.
b. Animals as symbols of human criminality.
In contrast to these stereotypes, contemporary social movements increasingly advocate for animals as rights-bearing subjects, equivalent to humans.
According to the latest definition by the International Council of Museums (ICOM, 2022), museums “operate and communicate ethically, professionally, and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection, and knowledge sharing.”
Given that zoological collections, primarily consisting of taxidermied animals, are closely tied to colonialism and the depiction of animals as trophies for colonizers, it is challenging for these collections to align with modern perspectives on the ontology, needs, and rights of non-human animals in today’s developed societies.
Furthermore, the rapid advancement of information, communication, and transportation technologies has made images of various ecosystems and wildlife readily accessible to everyone. This accessibility renders unnecessary the artificial representation of “inaccessible” ecosystems, typically created using dioramas with stuffed animals in zoological museums and zoos.
So, is there a justification for zoological collections to exist today? The answer is yes, under the following conditions:
1. Zoological collections should be preserved as evidence of the museums’ history and theory, but enhanced with modern interpretive tools utilizing information and communication technologies.
2. Zoological museums must collaborate with and engage communities of activists, environmental organizations, and scientists to highlight critical issues like global warming, the problems caused by intensive farming, beef consumption addiction, and animal rights.
3. Zoological museums should reassess the design and management practices of their collections to prioritize sustainability. This includes focusing on preventive conservation and risk assessment with community involvement. They should adopt principles similar to those of archaeological museums, such as informing the public about the origin of their exhibits. Objects of unknown origin and those obtained through illegal trafficking should be rejected.
It is crucial to initiate an open and productive dialogue among all stakeholders, leading to a shared understanding of the position and rights of non-human animals in modern society. This dialogue will directly impact the ethics and practices surrounding the management of zoological collections.