#24,5

Today I have had half an article writing day, with work done on the wolf socialization article I co-write with Laura Kiiroja. I also went through correspondence related to "Live better" articles. This brings the number of writing days this Autumn up to 24,5 including 9 article writing days.

Two applications for green funding rejected by University of Stavanger

Recently I sent two applications to the University of Stavanger concerning green funding/green transition funds, with one of them involving a public lecture on the future of environmentalism, and the other a field trip in relation to my study of socialized wolves. None of the applications were funded.

Two-three meetings

Today I have attended the weekly faculty leadership group meeting, chaired my fourth and last board meeting at Centre for gender studies, and had a video call related to an article I am co-writing.

Half writing day - eco-crisis; wolf socialization

Today I have had half an article writing day devoted to revising "Anticipating the societal transformation required to solve the environmental crisis in the 21st century" and planning for finishing the article "Socialization of captive wolves improves animal welfare and expands behavioral repertoire" with Laura Kiiroja. Some 400 words written. Total number of writing days in Spring is up to 47.

Two wolf-related papers scheduled for presentation at 16th gathering in biosemiotics, Prague

My presentation with Laura Kiiroja "Fear not – socialization of captive wolves" has been scheduled for presentation at the 16th gathering in biosemiotics, to be held in Prague July 4th to 8th, on Wednesday July 6th at 12.00-12.30. My presentation "A brief history of the cultural semiotic of wolves and sheep" has been scheduled for presentation the same day at 10.00-10.30.

Abstract book for 16th gathering in biosemiotics now online - my two abstracts

The book of abstracts for the 16th gathering in biosemiotics, to be held in Prague July 4th to 8th, has been uploaded online. I am involved in two abstracts, "Fear not – socialization of captive wolves" (p. 34) along with Laura Kiiroja, and "A brief history of the cultural semiotic of wolves and sheep" (p. 56) as sole presenter.

Wolf socialization article renamed

My article-in-progress with Laura Kiiroja "Socialization of wolves" is tentatively retitled "Socialization of captive wolves facilitates animal welfare and behavior".

"Socialization of captive wolves" paper accepted for GiB16 (Prague)

I have been informed that the Program Committee of the Sixteenth Annual Gatherings in Biosemiotics (Prague, 4 – 8 July) has accepted our paper "Socialization of captive wolves" (joint paper with Laura Kiiroja) for oral presentation.

Paper abstract with Laura Kiiroja for GiB16: "Socialization of captive wolves"

For the 16th Annual Gathering in Biosemiotics (Prague, 4-8 July 2016), Laura Kiiroja and I submitted the abstract below.

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Socialization of captive wolves

Laura Kiiroja & Morten Tønnessen  

Wolves give rise to controversy not only in the wild but also in captivity. Due to their genetically inherited fear of humans, wolves in captivity are notorious for persistent escape attempts, self-destructive behaviours, stereotypical behaviour and over-all suffering. Socialization of wolves with humans makes the animals more suitable for living in captive environments by reducing their fear of humans. Although proven effective, it is still a widely unknown and often misunderstood method of improving animal welfare for captive wolves. 

In this paper, a semiotic approach is used to explain the essence and proper methodology of socialization of wolves with humans for animal welfare purposes. Emphasis is put on understanding the changes in the animal’s Umwelt and in the human–animal relationship. The interdisciplinary theoretical contribution will be supported by Laura Kiiroja’s practical experiences with socialization of wolves in USA and Germany, and by Morten Tønnessen’s studies of wolf socialization in two Norwegian zoos (Langedrag mountain farm and wildlife park and Polar Zoo). Additionally, Kiiroja has conducted semi-structured interviews with world-recognized experts.  

The study explains how proper socialization aims to change the human’s significance in the animal’s Umwelt from enemy to social partner. This requires social human-imprinting, and using consistently positive methods of taming and handling. In fact, using aversive techniques, such as dominance theory and punishment, damages socialization and results in dangerous situations. Working “on animal terms” and establishing effective inter-specific communication is crucial for avoiding conflicts and maintaining positive and healthy relationships. The authors suggest that a zoosemiotic approach complements more mainstream ethological knowledge in human–animal interactions and is capable of advancing animal welfare as well as give zoo visitors more realistic experiences of wolves. 

The pros and cons of socializing captive wolves will be analysed. Animal welfare will improve with more opportunities for enrichment, less stressful effect of visitors, and better veterinary routines and husbandry practices. Avoiding suffering caused by constant fear enables the animal to display a quite complete species-specific behavioural repertoire. This is a benefit for behavioural research on captive wolves. Additionally, seeing the wolves in close proximity or interacting with them triggers empathy and interest in visitors, and this may contribute positively to support for wolf conservation. On the downside, zoos and other facilities keeping socialized wolves should be aware of the possibility that visitors might misinterpret wolves as potential pets, and adjust their education program accordingly. The management of these facilities should furthermore invest in educated wolf personnel, to be able to meet the requirements of proper wolf socialization. 

Keywords: Umwelt theory, wolves, captivity, socialization, human–animal relationships, human–animal communication, animal welfare, animal behaviour

Two wolf-related articles to be co-written with Laura Kiiroja

I have agreed to co-write two academic articles with Laura Kiiroja, my colleague in the Norwegian-Estonian research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis": One on Nordic zoo wolf demographics (I've had the idea for a few years, and now want it done), and another on socialization of zoo animals including wolves. Both these articles will be written in the context of the project's case study "Agencies and Conflicts of Interest in Zoological Gardens as an Environment for Mediated Communication".

See also:

Research visit to Tangen zoo conducted; to be zoo's research contact

Research visit to Tangen zoo conducted; to be zoo's research contact

Sunday to Tuesday this last week, March 9th to 11th, I have been conducting a research visit to Tangen zoo (formerly Amadeus zoo) in Stange in Hedmark, Norway. I was hosted by zoo owner Runar Næss and my research colleague in the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis" Laura Kiiroja, who currently resides in the zoo.

During the visit I agreed to be a research contact for Tangen zoo, a role which will involve being a scientific advisor when it comes to research carried out in the park. Currently the zoo houses socialized foxes, and they are working to get permission to hold socialized wolves too. This would likely involve long-term observations of some sort from my side - some ideas are brewing, but some of these depend on further research funding.

I got to see most of the animals close-up, including the two camels, an iguana, a number of snakes (constrictors), several curious silver monkeys, a zebra, and a not very friendly alligator. Throughout the visit I took photos and filmed - part of this material might be used for the perception studies I will soon carry out with Paul Thibault.

Video clip 'Wolf play' to be featured in Discovery documentary

Today I was contacted by October Films (London, UK) concerning a TV series they are producing for Discovery International. They have requested to make use of my video clip "Wolf play" (recorded in Polar Zoo March 2010 and currently shown some 55.000 times on YouTube), and I have granted them license to do so. I have requested the end credit (to be shown in the final credit sequence) "Morten Tønnessen (http://UtopianRealism.blogspot.no/)".

The documentary series is called "Deadly dilemmas" and is expected to air in Europe on Discovery Channel in early 2014.

"Wolf play" stats: Seasonal and geographical variations

I have previously posted about my video clip "Wolf play", recorded in Polar Zoo, Northern Norway (which has as of today been viewed 49.476 times) - see:

"Wolf play" a Youtube hit (November 2011)

Wolf play video (July 2012)

"Wolf play" now seen 47.000 times (April 2013)

In the most recent post I noted that 

[t]he ups and downs in views follow the season, with exponential growth throughout the year and then a dive in traffic each Christmas (does anybody know how many videos on YouTube display this pattern - likely due to traffic generating more traffic via increased visibility, combined with a pause in interest for this kind of video during Christmas?).

Here is a more detailed picture of these seasonal variations (weekly number of views, from the clip was uploaded until the last week):

Both in 2011 and 2012 the number of views peaked in week 50 (4.147 and 1.941 views respectively). There's further been a mid-year peak in both 2012 and 2013 - in weeks 24-25 in 2012, with some 800-900 views per week, and in weeks 14-15 this year, with some 900-1.100 views per week. In contrast, there were only roughly 100 views per week in the beginning of both 2012 and 2013, after the hard landing which appears to be coded into YouTube's system.

The map below the diagram shows the countries where the video clip has been viewed the most. Top 5:

1. USA 17.963

2. Canada 3.528

3. UK 2.549

4. Italy 1.888

5. Japan 1.490

Norway is at no. 15 with 628 views.

"Wolf play" now seen 47.000 times

My video clip "Wolf play", from a research visit to Polar Zoo (Bardu, Troms, Norway) in March 2010, reached 10.000 views in November 2011 and some 33.000 in July 2012. By now it has been shown 47.214 times, meaning it has been shown an additional 14.000 times since last summer.

The ups and downs in views follow the season, with exponential growth throughout the year and then a dive in traffic each Christmas (does anybody know how many videos on YouTube display this pattern - likely due to traffic generating more traffic via increased visibility, combined with a pause in interest for this kind of video during Christmas?).

The video clip has received 132 thumbs up (likes) and 3 thumbs down (dislikes), and has generated 60 comments on YouTube.

Wolf play video

My video clip "Wolf play" on YouTube is regaining frequent views somewhat again, after it spiralled to ca. 30.000 views ahead of last Christmas, only to nosedive at New Year. Currently it has been viewed 33.144 times, 1.457 of which the last 30 days.

Views per day, the last 365 days.