Paper short abstract:

Ethnographic encounters exploring human-bovid ‘dwelling’ in Hong Kong reveal complex relations with ever-changing landscapes. This paper looks at how humans and bovids negotiate relational difficulties, including the anthrozoologist's whilst challenging what their post domestic and cosmopolitan moments mean.

Paper long abstract:

Drawing from Ingold's 'dwelling' perspective, this paper explores ethnographic encounters of a unique trans-species experience between humans and bovids in Hong Kong. Free roaming herds of cattle and water buffalo, offspring of a former generation of bovids relinquished from agricultural labour, now live and mingle with human residents in semi rural/semi-urban settings, bringing real and perceived benefits and hazards to each other. Yet, these often-conflicting perceptions reveal more complex relationships with Hong Kong's continually changing physical, socioeconomic and political landscapes. Such entanglements are descriptive of both post domestic and cosmopolitan 'moments' in Hong Kong, where close cohabitation highlights various senses of separation and connection. Through their relational spaces, individuals and communities, both human and bovid, confront and creatively challenge the difficulties of the co-construction of their shared environs. At the same time, I also suggest that these relations challenge what post domestic and cosmopolitan moments might mean. From the perspective and challenges of performing multi-species ethnography at home (or in this case, a new home), I also reflect on the strengths and dilemmas of performing applied anthrozoology as a form of advocacy that can have implications for animal (and human) welfare policy and human-wildlife conflict mitigation practices.