livestock

Livestock functions as an actor in ANT. It neither generates pollution nor makes decisions. It acts as feedback from the actions of other actors, acting as a medium for transmitting non-biological influences.

Livestock mortality and metabolism serve as primary result feedback, revealing connections with other actors. Carcasses from natural deaths and partially slaughtered carcasses are transported to the landfill for disposal. Livestock from unnatural deaths may carry viruses into the landfill. Due to the Doña Juana Landfill's inadequate waste management practices, the odor from decomposing carcasses during hot weather impacts nearby residents, and this waste attracts large numbers of mosquitoes.(Gallini,2016) As virus carriers, these mosquitoes can lead to widespread infectious diseases.[Fig.1] Unnatural livestock deaths are primarily caused by disease and climate change. In recent years, widespread high temperatures in Colombia caused by climate change have reduced animal intake and growth rates while increasing mortality(Tapasco et al. 2019). As described in Sara(2025), livestock deaths also result from drinking water(tunjuelo_rive) polluted by leachate leaking from nearby landfills or being bitten by virus-carrying mosquitoes. Meanwhile, viruses from sick livestock feces are carried by soil or rivers, or dispersed into the air by wind. This chain of effects contributes to large-scale infections. (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, typhoid fever, and dysentery)(Stefania et al. 2014).

Livestock farming, a vital sector of Colombia's economic development, is currently facing challenges. Traditional livestock practices have led to soil and river degradation while contributing to the climate change(Action Landscape,2020).[Fig.2] In recent years, efforts have been made to transform traditional agricultural practices through technological innovation. This approach protects the local ecological environment while ensuring local economic development and reducing employment pressures in the region(Palmer,2020). [Fig.3]

Image

“Distribution of BVDV persistently infected animals in Colombia. Green – Sucre, Purple – Antioquia, Red – Cauca, Orange – Huila, Blue – Caquetá”(Quintero Barbosan et al.,2019)

Figure1: Source: From Quintero Barbosa et al. (2019)

“Land of Plenty: Twice the size of Texas, Colombia houses nearly 10% of the Earth’s plant and animal species, with many concentrated in the Andean mountains and Amazonian rainforest.”(Palmer,2020)

Figure2: Land of Plenty (Mapping Specialists, Ltd.,2020)

“From Forest to Field: The Nature Conservancy is helping Colombian farmers implement sustainable ranching practices. On Farm Rosania in Cubarral, Meta, living fences of native plants contain cattle and can also connect forest to protected areas, which creates corridors for wildlife.”(Palmer,2020)

Figure3: From Forest to Field (Arredondo,2020)

Reference: Action Landscapes (2020) [online] R2A in Colombia. Available at: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/latin-america/r2a/action-landscapes/colombia/ (Accessed: 1st December 2025).

Gallini, S. (n.d.). Doña Juana’s Ancestors: a History of Waste in Bogotá, Columbia, 1880s–1950s.

Palmer, L. (2020). Finding Peace. [online] The Nature Conservancy. Available at: https://www.nature.org/en-us/magazine/magazine-articles/colombia-sustainable-ranches/ [Accessed 1 Dec. 2025].

Quintero Barbosa, J., Corredor Figueroa, A.P., Salas, S.S., Camargo, H., Sanchéz, A., Tobón, J., Ortiz, D., Schachtebeck, E. and Gutierrez, M.F. (2019). High Prevalence of Persistently Infected Animals from Bovine Viral Diarrhea in Colombian Cattle. BMC Veterinary Research, 15(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1769-5.

Stefania, G., Laura, F., Angélica, A. and Stephanie, G. (2014). Waste and Water Pollution. [online] Environment & Society Portal. Available at: https://www.environmentandsociety.org/exhibitions/water-bogota/waste-and-water-pollution. (Accessed: 1st December 2025)

Tapasco, J., LeCoq, J.F., Ruden, A., Rivas, J.S. and Ortiz, J. (2019). The Livestock Sector in Colombia: toward a Program to Facilitate Large-Scale Adoption of Mitigation and Adaptation Practices. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 3. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2019.00061.