Researching animal deaths in war was challenging due to limited studies and the lack of resources for accurately tracking such data. During our initial interviews with animal rights scholars, Dr. Josh Milburn shared valuable insight: Research in this area feels like a “fog of war”—fragmented and incomplete, requiring pieces to be collected and connected to build a clearer picture.
Reflecting on this perspective, we recognized its alignment with our own research approach. By collecting fragments of information through interviews, academic papers, and personal accounts, we worked to piece together a broader understanding of how animal deaths in war unfold across different times, places, and contexts.
RESEARCH.
We began by reviewing academic papers to understand non-human deaths in war and reached out to experts for deeper insights. Through this research, we identified key considerations:
One major concern is the potential misconception of prioritizing non-human deaths over human casualties. While direct impacts on animals, such as bombings, are apparent, indirect effects—like animal testing or the use of animal skins for military purposes—are less visible but also significant.
To address these complexities, we aimed to show that while our primary focus was on animal casualties, using human speakers to recount memories of animal suffering also allowed us to reflect a glimpse of human suffering. In the end, where animals suffer, humans suffer too. Additionally, we selected five specific wars to explore in-depth, uncovering hidden deaths and varied impacts on non-human lives.
FOCUS AREAS BY WARS:
• Angola War: Exploitation of wildlife for war funding // Long recovery processes
• Gulf War: Harm to animals caused by environmental destruction (e.g., oil field explosions) // Reports on animal experimentation
• Bosnia War: Impact on animals requiring human care // Ongoing harm to stray animals and those affected by landmines
• Ukraine War: Current rescue and aid efforts by various organizations // Positive directions -> What does humanity mean? Understanding the value of life beyond “species” boundaries
• Iraq War: Environmental degradation from oil spills and radioactive contamination // Reports of animal testing for military purposes.
We plan to reach out to animal rescue teams, research groups focusing on animal psychology, and military veterans for further insights and collaboration.
Our goal is to raise awareness and provide audiences with a unique perspective that extends beyond human-centered narratives, recognizing the agency and experiences of non-human beings. While we cannot entirely adopt an animal’s perspective, we strive to embody the role of a careful human practicing a vision beyond speciesism.
This journalistic web experience is designed to inform and inspire practical actions in the audience’s daily lives, which is why we chose the medium of a journalism-based web game.
MECHANIC.
We identified the key action driving this project: to see the unseen and hear the unheard. This concept became the foundation of our core mechanics.
We narrowed the mechanics down to two actions: shining a light onto dark areas to reveal hidden details and tuning into a radio to uncover the stories behind them.
Building on this, we have been designing a game while continuing our research.
Our goal is to create an interactive and intuitive experience. Instead of overwhelming players with information, we aim for a natural flow: players follow words that reveal fragmented “fog of war” stories. These fragments spark curiosity and lead them to the final action—tuning into the radio to hear the complete narrative. This approach ensures that the influx of information feels engaging and seamless.
The project is still a work in progress. To improve the experience, we are conducting consecutive playtesting sessions and gathering feedback from experts in relevant fields, including a UX researcher from a game company, and an Editor from BBC.
ACADEMIC REFERENCES.
• Baumel-Schwartz, J.T. (2017). Beloved beasts: Reflections on the history and impact of the British “Animals in War” Memorial. History and Memory, 29(1), pp.104–133.
• Ber, J. (2023). At war with nature: The impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine’s natural environment. OSW Commentary (559).
• Gaynor, K.M., Fiorella, K.J., Gregory, G.H., Kurz, D.J., Seto, K.L., Withey, L.S., & Brashares, J.S. (2016). War and wildlife: Linking armed conflict to conservation. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14(10), pp.533–542.
• Hryhorczuk, D., Levy, B.S., Prodanchuk, M., Kravchuk, O., Bubalo, N., Hryhorczuk, A., & Erickson, T.B. (2024). The environmental health impacts of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, 19(1).
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). (2022). Animals, people, and war: The impact of conflict. Available at: https://www.ifaw.org/resources/animals-people-war.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). (2024). Protecting and rescuing animals during wartime. Available at: https://www.ifaw.org/uk/resources/ukraine-impact-report-protecting-rescuing-animals-wartime.
• Kong, L. & Zhao, Y. (2023). Remedying the environmental impacts of war: Challenges and perspectives for full reparation. International Review of the Red Cross, 105(924), pp.1441–1462.
• Lercier, M. (2024). War crimes against animals. World Animal Justice. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DhKP31p43w.
• Marceau, J. (n.d.). Palliative animal law: The war on animal cruelty. Harvard Law Review.
• Milburn, J. & Van Goozen, S. (2021). Counting animals in war: First steps towards an inclusive just-war theory. Social Theory and Practice, 47(4), pp.657–685.
• Milburn, J. & Van Goozen, S. (2023). Animals and the ethics of war: A call for an inclusive just-war theory. International Relations, 37(3), pp.423–448.
• Peters, A. & de Hemptinne, J. (2022). Animals in war: At the vanishing point of international humanitarian law. International Review of the Red Cross, 104(919), pp.1285–1314.
• Pipia, S. (n.d.). How does international criminal law protect animals in war and peacetime? World Animal Justice. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbXxNy3FtRI.
• Roberts, A.M. & Stewart, K. (n.d.). Animal casualties of the underground war.
• Bogarth, I. Playing Nature.
• Yeoh, J. Pixelate Reality.