Alfred Wallace's Baby Orangutan: Game, Pet, Specimen

Area of Science:

• History of Science
• Evolutionary Biology
• Primatology

Background:

• Alfred Russell Wallace's 1869 work, "The Malay Archipelago," details his fieldwork and evolutionary theories.
• A notable episode involves Wallace adopting a baby orangutan after its mother's death.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the transformation of the orangutan from a scientific specimen to a companion animal.
• To explore the intersection of affect, care, and exploitative scientific practices in historical natural history and early biomedical research.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Wallace's personal accounts and "The Malay Archipelago."
• Examination of historical documentation on scientists' relationships with research animals.
• Case study of Wallace's adoption of a baby orangutan.

Main Results:

• The orangutan's role shifted from a museum specimen to a companion, influencing Wallace's living space.
• Wallace's relationship exemplified the intertwining of emotional bonds and scientific study.
• This case illustrates the emergence of the "laboratory pet" in early research settings.

Conclusions:

• Affect and care were integral to the exploitative relationships between scientists and study animals.
• The study of animals in early biomedical research involved shared households and emotional ties.
• Wallace's experience provides insight into the complex human-animal dynamics in scientific endeavors.