https://trace.journal.fi/issue/feedTRACE ∴ Journal for Human-Animal Studies2025-04-24T11:59:02+03:00Helinä Äärihekaki@utu.fiOpen Journal Systems<p><em>Trace — Journal for Human-Animal Studies</em> is a peer-reviewed, fully open access online journal that provides a forum for research and discussion of human-animal relations from social and cultural perspectives. The journal publishes original research articles, lectiones praecursoriae, and conference reports, as well as reviews on books, art exhibitions, films, and other media. <em>Trace </em>accepts submissions in English, Finnish and Swedish.</p>https://trace.journal.fi/article/view/147812Putting a horse to sleep2024-09-10T11:26:01+03:00Anita Maurstad2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Anita Maurstadhttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/146858Fur is never okurrrr2024-07-04T18:32:10+03:00Vanda Bajs2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Vanda Bajshttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/161206Editorial2025-04-24T11:19:28+03:00Pauliina Rautio2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Pauliina Rautiohttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/144515Taming the wild…2024-03-28T07:14:08+02:00Sara Kruszona-Barełkowska<p class="p1">This article explores the narrative construction of interspecies relationships through the lens of equine taming practices, focusing on the work of well-known horse trainers. By analyzing the biographies of Shy Boy and Myrnah, the wild horses subjected to taming, the study critically examines how these trainers present their methods within a narrative that portrays a harmonious relationship between humans and horses.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The narratives created by horse trainers, which suggest that horses voluntarily submit to taming and willingly form partnerships with their trainers, are ultimately anthropocentric constructs that mask the coercive nature of these interactions.</p> <p class="p1">Through a comparative analysis of horse trainers’ methods and the narrative strategies used by killer whale trainers described by Jane Desmond, I explore how these narratives influence perceptions of animal behavior and human-animal relationships. This article contributes to the ongoing scholarly dialogue on human-animal relationships, particularly in the context of taming and horsemanship. It suggests that developing an awareness of animals’ needs, respecting their boundaries, and finding new ways to build relationships based on genuine respect is essential. The article ends with a call to continue searching for methods of working with horses that minimize violence and pressure while taking into account the real needs of animals, as well as to spread awareness of real forms of relationships with horses that can be based on mutual understanding and respect.</p>2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Sara Kruszona-Barełkowskahttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/142553An evaluation study of zoo visitors’ perception, learning, and knowledge of nature conservation at Korkeasaari Zoo, Finland2025-01-16T14:31:22+02:00Sanna OjalammiMarjo PrihaJoel Wamai<p class="p1">Zoos aim to enhance zoo visitors’ knowledge of biodiversity, conservation and sustainability and responsible consumer consumption, encouraging visitors to form positive connections to wildlife. To analyse how this is achieved in Korkeasaari Zoo after changes to their conservation education, we conducted a follow-up study in 2023 by interviewing zoo visitors (in Korkeasaari Zoo). The previously published research from 2018 reported that visitors were unaware of the zoo’s conservation activities and that the zoo’s conservation education messages did not impact individuals’ everyday conservation practices. Since then, Korkeasaari Zoo has diversified and improved the zoo conservation education materials, offering better practical examples of zoo conservation work and how visitors can become involved in zoo conservation activities. Our results show that in 2023, the interviewees were better informed and more aware of the zoo conservation because Korkeasaari Zoo communication materials at zoo exhibits and the signboards had been renewed. Many interviewees deemed the zoo’s conservation role significant. In our 2023 study, perceptions of animal welfare were also included at the Zoo’s request. When we asked how visitors perceived animal welfare at the zoo, they viewed it as good and appreciated the zoo’s requests not to disturb the animals while watching them. We believe that the zoo’s sustainable conservation education with interactive learning opportunities and communication intervention may positively impact visitors’ everyday conservation practices and promote a radical political change at the societal level.</p>2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Sanna Ojalammi, Marjo Priha, Joel Wamaihttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/147625Wolves, humans and a new moral order of life2025-01-07T15:57:48+02:00Lars Risan<p class="p1">This paper revisits the narrative of Amala and Kamala, two children said to have been raised by wolves, as a platform for exploring the boundary between human beings and other animal species. Chronicled in <em>Diary of the Wolf Children</em> by Joseph Singh, the story of the two girls challenged the view of human uniqueness as it reached social scientists in the 1930s.</p> <p class="p1">The paper presents the major interpretations and receptions of the diary and will also evaluate the potential truthfulness of the story. Based on this historiographical assessment of the case, the paper extends to an ontological examination of human-wolf relationships, drawing on advancements in both ethology and anthropology. Since the late 1980s, cultural anthropology has begun to examine cultures as extending beyond the strictly human – a movement often termed “the ontological turn,” allowing for a more holistic examination of realities. Meanwhile, developments in ethology since 1995 have begun to consider animals as conscious beings, capable of experiencing complex emotions. Drawing upon these developments this paper explores the possibility of a new moral order of life, with the two species humans and wolves, and their interactions, as the empirical case.</p>2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Lars Risanhttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/147388Paws and reflect2024-10-30T17:34:37+02:00Tiamat Warda<p class="p2">Definitions of assistance dogs rest on the performance of tasks that mitigate a human’s disabilities. However, the specific elements that constitute assistance dog tasks – those that effectively and consistently mitigate disabilities – remain undefined. As the assistance dog concept expands into new domains, the lack of a clear definition for an assistance dog task poses significant challenges for multispecies stakeholders. Based on the author’s professional experience educating and assessing assistance dog teams, as well as exchanges from a workshop with assistance dog professionals and individuals living with qualified assistance dogs, this article proposes nine criteria to address the question: what needs to be established to define an assistance dog task that considers the well-being, welfare, and working success of dog and human? The aim is for this definition to act as i) a guideline to further refine the assistance dog concept, ii) a resource for assistance dog professionals and their clients when developing a novel task, and iii) a framework for stakeholders to assess an individual’s need for an assistance dog task. In so doing, it situates assistance dog tasks as interdependent, caring acts on behalf of both dog and human that have been designed with the interests, well-being, and welfare of both at the forefront. Ultimately, this paper was written with an intention to support meaningful change within the assistance dog sector that can benefit assistance dogs, humans, the public, and further stakeholders.</p>2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Tiamat Wardahttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/147060Human-animal relationships in context2024-07-29T02:50:35+03:00David Herman2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 David Hermanhttps://trace.journal.fi/article/view/148810The moral status of animals in Islamic philosophy2024-10-17T11:07:40+03:00Behnam Khodapanah2025-04-24T00:00:00+03:00Copyright (c) 2025 Behnam Khodapanah