Speaker:
Ms Anya Roopa Gajanur

Synopsis:
Animal behavior studies conducted over the course of many decades have slowly unraveled the perceived world of an organism (their Umwelt) to us. We now have a better understanding of an animal’s needs, emotions, capacities, and similarities to humans more than ever, thanks to science. Yet, the debate surrounding animal welfare and how to solve it remains highly contentious. Part of that is due to the slight unreliability of ethology; the field has acknowledged the difficulties in interpretations and definitions of animal behavior, and so, may not live up to the rigid standard set for “evidence” in science. However, a layperson’s lack of awareness of animal Umwelts, not practicing empathy towards animals, and a general disconnect from the natural environment likely also contribute to the problem. All these issues hinder progress in improving the animal welfare crisis.

Through this talk, participants will discover the vibrant lives of marine animals and the valuable lessons we can learn from them. After all, they are not entirely dissimilar from us. They will also learn how to use this knowledge to guide animal welfare in increasingly disturbed, farmed, and fragmented environments.

For enquiries, please contact:

Mr Ambert Ang
Phone: +65  65162711
Email: DBS_outreach@nus.edu.sg