Animal Housing/Housing Animals: Nodes of Politics, Practices and Human–Animal Relations

A significant shift in the human-eider relationship within the Vega Archipelago, Norway, has been documented, highlighting how housing practices for eiders—one of the region's iconic species—reflect broader political and cultural dynamics. The study reveals that these practices are not merely functional but deeply embedded in heritage conservation efforts, shaping both environmental policies and local traditions. Through qualitative research, including interviews with stakeholders and analysis of historical records, the authors uncover how housing animals becomes a node for negotiating human-animal relations, heritage values, and ecological management. This work underscores the importance of understanding such practices as integral to the preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Vegaøyan, where biodiversity conservation intersects with cultural identity.

(Ed.). (2016). Animal Housing/Housing Animals: Nodes of Politics, Practices and Human–Animal Relations. Animal Housing and Human-Animal Relations, 13–26. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315722337-6