The biopolitics of taming: biosecurity, technology, and the transformation of wild boar hunting in uruguay

Abstract

This paper examines the transformation of wild boar hunting practices in Uruguay, focusing on the intersection of biosecurity imperatives, technological advancements, and traditional hunting ethics. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, the study explores how hunters navigate their evolving roles as recreational sportsmen and state-regulated “controllers” of zoonotic threats and invasive species. The research reveals a complex process of “taming” hunters, integrating them into broader biosecurity frameworks while simultaneously generating spaces for resistance and negotiation. The adoption of night vision technologies and the shift towards pest control ethics challenge traditional notions of fair chase and sportsmanship, reshaping human-animal relationships. This transformation reflects global trends in multispecies governance, where veterinary logic and transnational biosecurity concerns increasingly mediate local practices. The paper argues that while these changes enhance efficiency in population control, they risk eroding the diversity of hunting practices that have historically functioned as adaptive local knowledge systems. By examining the tensions between state legibility and hunter agency, the study contributes to broader discussions on the biopolitics of wildlife management, the ethics of human-animal interactions, and the challenges of balancing biosecurity needs with cultural traditions in an era of increasing ecological disruptions.