Iām going to use a personal example thatās not in context to wildlife but still in context to how folks treat theriform animals. Itās also specific to animals in the alterhuman community because I mainly see this with other animals, not so much nonhumans in general. Nonetheless, I hope itāll put something into perspective.
I am a horse. Iāve ridden other horses before, albeit as a guest at a ranch within my area. For the times Iāve visited my kind and interacted with them, Iāve done so under clear instruction from those who regularly take care of them, train them and work with them.
At no point have I ever gone out of my way to interact with my kind under the assumption that Iām engaging with them from one species member to another. Nor have I engaged with them under the assumption thatā because I too am a horseā I know what Iām doing. This is because I understand mindfulness is of utmost importance. Riding is a privilege, not a right. So is engaging with your local wildlife. Your behavior makes all the difference, and those consequences are often irreversible. Besides, OP already listed some pretty good reasons on why this matters.
I know folks like to get up close and personal with animals. Usually, itās to pet them, take pictures or act out to get a reaction out of them if they feel emboldened enough. In my case, they wonāt hesitate to do so without the animals, the trail boss or any other staff who work with these animals in mind, knowing damn well they donāt know these animals or their behaviors. Sometimes, these folks turn out okay but get a scolding. Sometimes, they go into full Karen Mode because the staff did their job by addressing their guestsā behavior. Iāve seen group members get kicked out because they had the bright idea of trying to sneak inside in the stables nearby. These are individual cases from the ranch near me and the trail rides Iāve been on.
Back when I went on trail rides, I didnāt make any sudden or overly touchy movements while being paired up with a horse. Iād also watch my volume once I was in proximity with my riding companion. Yes, Iām an animal like them but Iām still responsible for my own behavior. Inappropriate behavior could bring immense distress or harm the horse and even myself. The chances of an accident happening is never a guaranteed zero. Moreover, other horses arenāt going to assume Iām socializing with them as another horse. Theyāre going to assume Iām posing some kind of a threat to them or refusing to back off and act accordingly, which is something that many folksā in AND outside of this communityā need to keep in mind. Entitlement to an animalās space or existence is an issue that a lot of folks have, even if thatās not your intention! To you, it may not come off as entitlement because youāre doing something that brings you some kind of euphoria. Even so, it doesnāt change the fact that youāre using another animalās existence as an excuse to gratify yourself. Thatās not okay.
I understand wanting to express your animality. I understand wanting to be recognized among your kind or among other animals in general. I get it, but you cannot jeopardize the wellbeing of your local wildlife and any other animals for your validation.
Overfamiliarity doesnāt just happen between humans. It can happen between you and a theriform animal simply because you too are an animal and feel like thatās enough of a reason to act the way you do around them. Reconsider the next time you see that squirrel on the sidewalk or bird on a tree branch. Your actions donāt exist in a vacuum.
