Gerbils without Borders: Invasiveness, Plague, and Micro-Global Histories of Science, 1932-1939

Area of Science:

• History of Science
• Environmental History
• Medical History

Background:

• The 1930s saw bubonic plague outbreaks in Angola and Namibia, highlighting regional social and political tensions.
• These outbreaks gained international attention in transnational forums like the League of Nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how concerns over plague spread influenced the development of an invasive species framework.
• To explore the transnational political and scientific dynamics of disease "invasion" across borders.
• To examine the role of "more-than-human" actors in global history of science.

Main Methods:

• Archival research across Namibia, South Africa, Portugal, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
• Analysis of transnational political and scientific discourse surrounding the plague outbreaks.
• Tracing the movement and impact of South African gerbils as disease vectors.

Main Results:

• Concerns over plague transmission across borders led to a nascent invasive species framework.
• South African gerbils were implicated as "migrant" vectors responsible for the international spread of bubonic plague.
• The study highlights how localized inter-species and inter-imperial encounters shaped scientific and political responses.

Conclusions:

• Localized disease outbreaks can inform broader scientific frameworks, such as invasive species management.
• The history of science can be enriched by considering the agency of non-human actors like disease vectors.
• Transnational interactions, even those driven by disease, reveal complex interplays between humans, animals, and political systems.