Science is catching up with what most of us already know.

Most people know this; they just don't care. As long as it's not in plain sight. Like in that movie where a guy brings a pig to a party and says, "Meet your dinner, I'm about to kill and cook it". And people respond, "Just not here, there are children". So they aren't really against it.

I went to an aquarium and saw a large octopus in a moderately small tank. It was huddled in a corner. Nearby were plastic toys to 'amuse' it. On the glass was a notice telling people not to use flash photography because the creature was sensitive. The poor thing looked so desolate. It caught me completely off my guard and I cried.

I’ve always known animals have feelings and feel pain, I used to refuse to go to zoos with animals in small cages and the circus with elephants and tigers as it made me cry, my parents and family thought I was bonkers.probably right about that.

Whitewavemark2

pascal30

I've just seen the film Wilding about the Knepp Estate and Castle.. It gives a truly remarkable insight into animals, birds and nature and how they all interact and help each other..

Just up the road from us. The white storks have loads of fledglings this year.

It truly lovely though especially on a warm summers evening with the nightingals.

Aren't we lucky Whitewave I've seen them as well.. I love going to Knepp... as I also live quite close.. such a welcoming place.. it's extraordinary that it is free to go there..

pascal30

I've just seen the film Wilding about the Knepp Estate and Castle.. It gives a truly remarkable insight into animals, birds and nature and how they all interact and help each other..

Just up the road from us. The white storks have loads of fledglings this year.

It truly lovely though especially on a warm summers evening with the nightingals.

Really the title of this thread says it all.

A work colleague of mine adopted a lizardy thing (some sort of iguana I think) whose owner had died and he, the lizard, was moping and not eating. After a great deal of TLC, being stroked and talked to (apparently he was used to being handled) the lizard cheered up no end and his appetite returned.

I've just seen the film Wilding about the Knepp Estate and Castle.. It gives a truly remarkable insight into animals, birds and nature and how they all interact and help each other..

SueDonim

The BBC frames it as consciousness, not feelings. The question is, what is consciousness? To me, if you’re not conscious you must be asleep or in a coma. Cows eating grass in a field are clearly not in a coma! It’s very thought provoking.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv223z15mpmo

Yes I know , but I used feelings because that is what Darwin talked about.

As an aside, did anyone see the way that poor cow was dealt with by the police. I was unfortunate enough to see the full video, before I sort of realised what was happening. This has stayed with me ever since. I advise you not to watch it.

Nanna8 when my cat was killed outside my house crossing the road my other cat would not walk on the place I sat cradling him as he died ever she carefully went round it

The BBC frames it as consciousness, not feelings. The question is, what is consciousness? To me, if you’re not conscious you must be asleep or in a coma. Cows eating grass in a field are clearly not in a coma! It’s very thought provoking.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv223z15mpmo

Hopefully it will mean less meat eaters, especially chicken.

When I was a little girl of around 8 a little cat was run over outside our house. Another cat was sat at its side howling its head off. Since that time I realised animals do feel love and compassion for each other. I once brought a tiny kitten home whose mother had died and our older male cat licked it and especially licked its stomach so it started to eat solid food. They were not related, he was just a kind old cat.

aren't there also new laws coming in with regard to live feeding to reptiles etc? I'm sure I read it somewhere

I’m horrified at the thought of octopuses being farmed. Such amazing, intelligent creatures. I read a headline ( but didn’t read the whole article so may have got this wrong: I do hope so) that the wild mustangs in America are in even more danger if Trump gets in. They are already being rounded up by helicopter and sent to kill pens .

Germanshepherdsmum

Maybe one day animals’ feelings will be recognised to the extent that they cease to be cruelly exploited by the human race. Sadly, not in my lifetime I think.

We can but hope. 🙏🙏

Maybe one day animals’ feelings will be recognised to the extent that they cease to be cruelly exploited by the human race. Sadly, not in my lifetime I think.

As a long life dog owner and lover and a horse rider/lover in my youth I’m aware these two animals certainly share many human characteristics, they are loyal, loving, have good memories, remember “commands” and can sense their owners emotions. They certainly feel pain, both physically and emotionally. Most animals are nicer than many humans. I have such lovely memories of the many dogs I’ve had throughout my life, tinged with that awful sadness when they are no longer with us.

Mmm- I read this too but it isn't as quite clear cut as the article made out. I read it that some studies had been done mainly on crustaceans and the results were interesting but very limited.
Claiming that they 'undoubtedly' have memory doesn't reflect the scope of the research.
One interesting point is that science has changed its focus from higher primates and mammals like dolphins and whales to sea creatures.
Maybe crustacean watching will become the new thing!