Humans Become Otters, Kestrels to Show Wildlife Risks

Eighteen individuals recently completed a unique six-week research project, "Risks Beyond Human Eyes," where they embodied various animals including otters, salmon, and kestrels. The study aimed to document the perils faced by wildlife in areas shaped by human activity, focusing on the River Tone in Somerset, England.

Participants were trained to adopt specific animal "umwelts," or sensory worlds, experiencing the landscape as non-human creatures. This involved using key senses and focusing on descriptive reporting rather than interpretation, seeking to "de-center" human understanding and reveal alternative perspectives.

Volunteer Anita Roy, who embodied an otter, noted the visceral impact of everyday human presence, particularly the disturbance caused by dogs. Another volunteer, experiencing life as a kestrel, highlighted the limited hunting grounds available due to human encroachment.

Researchers described the volunteers' testimonies as akin to civilians in a war zone, struggling for survival. The study underscored the emotional weight of experiencing the hostility humans have created for other species, making abstract concepts like biodiversity deeply personal and galvanizing.

This pioneering research, conducted by the University of the West of England and ASRA, reflects a growing interest in the rights of nature and the More-Than-Human Life program. Its findings are being prepared for academic journals, with future plans to focus on revitalizing the River Tone and promoting action within a multispecies society.