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Animal landscapes: otters and wildfowl in England 1945–1970
Author(s) -
Matless David,
Merchant Paul,
Watkins Charles
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
transactions of the institute of british geographers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.196
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1475-5661
pISSN - 0020-2754
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-5661.2005.00160.x
Subject(s) - otter , cruelty , relation (database) , environmental ethics , geography , sociology , ethnology , criminology , ecology , biology , philosophy , database , computer science
The paper considers otter hunting and wildfowling in England between 1945 and 1970, showing how arguments over human conduct in relation to the animal were linked to scientific studies of populations, moral arguments over cruelty and the abilities of field sports to restyle themselves as modern. If wildfowling restyles itself as a new conservationist practice, otter hunting is increasingly regarded as a form of landed barbarism. Detailed studies of Herefordshire and Norfolk are drawn upon alongside national debates. The paper emphasizes the effects of geography in debates over such practices, extending work on animal geographies through the study of animal landscapes.