Wednesday 31 July 2013
No need for a title.
Whilst I cant think of an original or long blog post, I couldn't miss the opportunity to post this picture.
Tuesday 30 July 2013
Putin, An Unlikely Ambassador Of Animal Rights
One unlikely character to have emerged in my research into psychological explanations of exotic animals is the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The scary seemingly dictatorial leader of Russia might seem like an unlikely lover of animals given his views on human rights, but he is definitely an animal lover.
It is reported in the times that in 2010 he was largely responsible for bringing together 13 countries in a WWF conference regarding animal rights and welfare, and even raised $330 million to help preserve endangered species of tiger.
A lover of what seems like all animals, Putin has also been involved in some well choreographed press events with animals.
These two videos show Putin incapicitating or controlling large exotic animals. The effect of these actions portrays Putin as a very strong character, and begin to introduce us into the symbolic power of animals, undoubtedly these videos were taken as a well planned effort to increase Putin's image, and make him seem 'stronger'. Whilst without empirical research these claims seem speculative, it at least gives us a bit of an introduction to the importance of such animals.
In 2008 , Vladimir Putin was gifted with a 'pet' Siberian tiger cub from an anonymous donor. The perception of Vladimir Putin owning a tiger increases his image, and reinforces the 'strong' stereotype that we perceive when we think of him. The opinions aired on various online discussion boards and forums seem to attest to this same perception following the event. Some of these comments even indicate that a person in such power as Putin owning such an animal, increase their own desire to
imitate him and also own an animal. Something that is an actual realistic principle given the ease of attainment in the middle east, which I will explore in a later blog.
The symbolic power of the tiger is also evident as Ramzan Kadyrov, president of Chechnya, is said to own one , a wolf and a bear. Furthermore he is said to have an extensive car collection, including incredibly rare and valuable cars such as the Lamborghini Reventon only 20 of which exist.
Ownership of such vehicles is indicative, and usually associated with narcissistic personality traits. Given he also owned exotic animals, this may indicate that ownership of exotic animals is something pursued by trait narcissists. This relationship will be explored later, and may aid our understanding of exotic animal ownership.
Ramzan Kadyrov with one of his tigers.
Read more about animals owned by people in positions of significant power here;
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2049797_2049795_2049742,00.html
It is reported in the times that in 2010 he was largely responsible for bringing together 13 countries in a WWF conference regarding animal rights and welfare, and even raised $330 million to help preserve endangered species of tiger.
These two videos show Putin incapicitating or controlling large exotic animals. The effect of these actions portrays Putin as a very strong character, and begin to introduce us into the symbolic power of animals, undoubtedly these videos were taken as a well planned effort to increase Putin's image, and make him seem 'stronger'. Whilst without empirical research these claims seem speculative, it at least gives us a bit of an introduction to the importance of such animals.
In 2008 , Vladimir Putin was gifted with a 'pet' Siberian tiger cub from an anonymous donor. The perception of Vladimir Putin owning a tiger increases his image, and reinforces the 'strong' stereotype that we perceive when we think of him. The opinions aired on various online discussion boards and forums seem to attest to this same perception following the event. Some of these comments even indicate that a person in such power as Putin owning such an animal, increase their own desire to
imitate him and also own an animal. Something that is an actual realistic principle given the ease of attainment in the middle east, which I will explore in a later blog.
The symbolic power of the tiger is also evident as Ramzan Kadyrov, president of Chechnya, is said to own one , a wolf and a bear. Furthermore he is said to have an extensive car collection, including incredibly rare and valuable cars such as the Lamborghini Reventon only 20 of which exist.
Ownership of such vehicles is indicative, and usually associated with narcissistic personality traits. Given he also owned exotic animals, this may indicate that ownership of exotic animals is something pursued by trait narcissists. This relationship will be explored later, and may aid our understanding of exotic animal ownership.
Ramzan Kadyrov with one of his tigers.
Read more about animals owned by people in positions of significant power here;
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2049797_2049795_2049742,00.html
Welcome
Whilst studying human-animal interactions, and companion animal ownership I decided to write a piece on the ownership of exotic companion animals. The theme was not directly related to any content covered in the course, so why did I chose it? Well I think seeing the below video on TV might have set the ball in motion.
Watching an idiot abroad, I was simply blown away by how anybody could try and domesticate and own a pet such as a hippopotamus, which lead me to more digging and research.
It quickly emerged the ownership of exotic animals, and associated problems was an immediate and growing problem. From Dallas , to Dubai to Jakarta, the phenomena of exotic animal ownership by people who don't know their needs, psychological demands, or risks of ownership is truly global.
One prominent region that is particularly increasing the amount of ownership of exotic animals is the UAE, and other oil-rich states. There has been an incredible
upsurge in exotic animal ownership in the middle east, and Asia, as well as a continued growth in the USA.
No, not by zoos. Not by educated academics that understand the animals needs, nor by citizens qualified in a veterinary sense.
Simply by the highest bidder.
In these blogs I will explore the psychological explanations of owning such animals, as well as welfare concerns and risks to both owners and the general populace. My hope for this blog is to create a platform for understanding which can later be developed into an academic piece.
The picture above, is sourced from http://kannadigaworld.com/news/gulf/uae/11784.html, a news article outlining some of the issues I will explore in more detail in later posts.
It quickly emerged the ownership of exotic animals, and associated problems was an immediate and growing problem. From Dallas , to Dubai to Jakarta, the phenomena of exotic animal ownership by people who don't know their needs, psychological demands, or risks of ownership is truly global.
upsurge in exotic animal ownership in the middle east, and Asia, as well as a continued growth in the USA.
No, not by zoos. Not by educated academics that understand the animals needs, nor by citizens qualified in a veterinary sense.
Simply by the highest bidder.
In these blogs I will explore the psychological explanations of owning such animals, as well as welfare concerns and risks to both owners and the general populace. My hope for this blog is to create a platform for understanding which can later be developed into an academic piece.
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