The space of animal justice in wildlife sanctuaries: a posthuman perspective

Abstract

The growing debate on the Anthropocene epoch urges a critical reflection on the relationship between human and non-human animals. This paper reflects on the space of animal justice in wildlife sanctuaries from a post-human perspective. Our perspective on wildlife sanctuaries relies on posthumanism and its potential in terms of offering both a new epistemology and a theoretical grounding for an approach to justice that is not anthropocentric. In so doing, we also draw on concepts of animal geography and the sociology of space. In line with posthumanism, we adopt a methodology inspired by pluralism, openness, interdisciplinarity and creativity. Our narrative approach combines a thematic analysis with vignettes and features of narrative analysis. Our findings challenge the perception of wildlife sanctuaries as an ideal ‘just’ space for wildlife and present a posthuman stance on interaction between human and non-human animals, seeking justice for the latter.