Skip to Main Content

Trash Animals: How We Live with Nature's Filthy, Feral, Invasive, and Unwanted Species

Online ISBN:
9781452947129
Print ISBN:
9780816680542
Publisher:
University of Minnesota Press
Book

Trash Animals: How We Live with Nature's Filthy, Feral, Invasive, and Unwanted Species

Kelsi Nagy (ed.),
Kelsi Nagy
(ed.)
Find on
Phillip David Johnson II (ed.)
Phillip David Johnson II
(ed.)
Find on
Published:
1 May 2013
Online ISBN:
9781452947129
Print ISBN:
9780816680542
Publisher:
University of Minnesota Press

Abstract

Trash Animals, a collection of essays by a wide range of environmental writers, examines relationships between humans and wildlife deemed filthy, feral, unwanted, problematic, invasive or worthless. These essays examine a growing trend of equating wildlife with trash. They question why birders call some birds “garbage” and why fisherman discard “trash” fish. As trash is a category that only exists in human culture, equating animals with trash reveals more about human expectations, fears, prejudices and frustrations with the natural world. Each essay presents a unique thesis about a species—seagulls, coyotes, carp, cockroaches, and others—North Americans deem filthy, dangerous, unwanted, problematic or worthless. By examining the biology and behavior of animals in contrast to its natural and cultural history the authors challenge common notions and assumptions about problematic wildlife, the nature/culture divide and the limits of human agency. Many of the essays provide new perspectives on human-animal relationships and challenge readers to re-imagine our ethics of engagement with wildlife.

Contents
Close
This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

Close

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

View Article Abstract & Purchase Options

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Close