BDN Interviews Lichtenwalner About Human Relationships with Wild Animals
Anne Lichtenwalner, a professor and Extension veterinarian at the University of Maine and director of UMaine’s Animal Health Laboratory, was quoted in the Bangor Daily News article, “Maine Wildlife Park staff say humans’ relationship with wild animals requires delicate balance.” Staff at the park in Gray, which is run by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, care for the animals while educating the public about the animals’ needs and instincts, according to the article. Lichtenwalner said park staff can eliminate humanizing wild animals by avoiding eye contact, acting dominant and feeding the animals without letting them know humans are nearby. She said recognizing an animal’s “wild side” is difficult for people to grasp because of what she calls the “Disney” effect. “We don’t even recognize each other’s autonomy, so it’s very natural that we make assumptions about animals and their choices that are reflective of how we think about our daily lives,” Lichtenwalner said.