| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Captain Compassion" |
| Date: |
28 Feb 2005 10:11:36 AM |
| Object: |
Cows hold grudges, say scientists |
Cows hold grudges, say scientists
News.Com.AU ^ | staff writer
By Jonathan Leake
February 28, 2005
ONCE they were a byword for mindless docility. But cows have a complex
mental life in which they bear grudges, nurture friendships and become
excited by intellectual challenges, researchers have found.
Cows are capable of strong emotions such as pain, fear and even
anxiety about the future. But if farmers provide the right conditions,
they can also feel great happiness.
The findings have emerged from studies of farm animals that have found
similar traits in pigs, goats and chickens. They suggest such animals
may be so emotionally similar to humans that welfare laws need to be
reconsidered.
The research will be presented to a conference in London next month
sponsored by animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming.
Christine Nicol, professor of animal welfare at Britain's Bristol
University, said even chickens might have to be treated as individuals
with needs and problems.
"Remarkable cognitive abilities and cultural innovations have been
revealed," she said. "Our challenge is to teach others that every
animal we intend to eat or use is a complex individual, and to adjust
our farming culture accordingly."
Her colleague John Webster added: "People have assumed intelligence is
linked to the ability to suffer, and that because animals have smaller
brains they suffer less than humans. That is a pathetic piece of
logic."
The Bristol researchers have documented how cows within a herd form
friendship groups of between two and four animals with whom they spend
most of their time, often grooming and licking each other. They will
also dislike other cows, and can bear grudges for months or years.
Donald Broom, professor of animal welfare at Cambridge University,
will tell the conference how cows can become excited by solving
intellectual challenges.
In one study, researchers challenged the animals with a task where
they had to find how to open a door to get some food. An
electroencephalograph was used to measure their brainwaves.
"The brainwaves showed their excitement; their heartbeat went up and
some even jumped into the air. We called it their Eureka moment,"
Professor Broom said.
The assumption that farm animals cannot suffer from conditions that
would be intolerable for humans is partly based on the idea they have
no sense of self. Latest research suggests this is untrue.
"Sentient animals have the capacity to experience pleasure and are
motivated to seek it," Professor Webster said.
"You only have to watch how cows and lambs both seek and enjoy
pleasure when they lie with their heads raised to the sun on a perfect
English summer's day. Just like humans."
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"I have a simple four-word answer: Save Social Security first."
-- Bill Clinton (January 27, 1998 State of the Union Address)
"Why would I listen to losers?" -- Arnold Schwarzenegger
"Long term commitment in relationships is only necessary because it takes
so damn long to raise children. Marriage may well be some kind of trick
to keep the males around beyond sexual satiation." -- Captain Compassion
"Progress is the increasing control of the environment by life.
--Will Durant
Joseph R. Darancette
res0mp8t@NOSPAMverizon.net
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