Iâm going to use a personal example thatâs not in context to wildlife but still in context to how folks treat theriform animals. Itâs also specific to animals in the alterhuman community because I mainly see this with other animals, not so much nonhumans in general. Nonetheless, I hope itâll put something into perspective.
I am a horse. Iâve ridden other horses before, albeit as a guest at a ranch within my area. For the times Iâve visited my kind and interacted with them, Iâve done so under clear instruction from those who regularly take care of them, train them and work with them.
At no point have I ever gone out of my way to interact with my kind under the assumption that Iâm engaging with them from one species member to another. Nor have I engaged with them under the assumption thatâ because I too am a horseâ I know what Iâm doing. This is because I understand mindfulness is of utmost importance. Riding is a privilege, not a right. So is engaging with your local wildlife. Your behavior makes all the difference, and those consequences are often irreversible. Besides, OP already listed some pretty good reasons on why this matters.
I know folks like to get up close and personal with animals. Usually, itâs to pet them, take pictures or act out to get a reaction out of them if they feel emboldened enough. In my case, they wonât hesitate to do so without the animals, the trail boss or any other staff who work with these animals in mind, knowing damn well they donât know these animals or their behaviors. Sometimes, these folks turn out okay but get a scolding. Sometimes, they go into full Karen Mode because the staff did their job by addressing their guestsâ behavior. Iâve seen group members get kicked out because they had the bright idea of trying to sneak inside in the stables nearby. These are individual cases from the ranch near me and the trail rides Iâve been on.
Back when I went on trail rides, I didnât make any sudden or overly touchy movements while being paired up with a horse. Iâd also watch my volume once I was in proximity with my riding companion. Yes, Iâm an animal like them but Iâm still responsible for my own behavior. Inappropriate behavior could bring immense distress or harm the horse and even myself. The chances of an accident happening is never a guaranteed zero. Moreover, other horses arenât going to assume Iâm socializing with them as another horse. Theyâre going to assume Iâm posing some kind of a threat to them or refusing to back off and act accordingly, which is something that many folksâ in AND outside of this communityâ need to keep in mind. Entitlement to an animalâs space or existence is an issue that a lot of folks have, even if thatâs not your intention! To you, it may not come off as entitlement because youâre doing something that brings you some kind of euphoria. Even so, it doesnât change the fact that youâre using another animalâs existence as an excuse to gratify yourself. Thatâs not okay.
I understand wanting to express your animality. I understand wanting to be recognized among your kind or among other animals in general. I get it, but you cannot jeopardize the wellbeing of your local wildlife and any other animals for your validation.
Overfamiliarity doesnât just happen between humans. It can happen between you and a theriform animal simply because you too are an animal and feel like thatâs enough of a reason to act the way you do around them. Reconsider the next time you see that squirrel on the sidewalk or bird on a tree branch. Your actions donât exist in a vacuum.
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