Animal Voice May 2008 Page 9 103.93 Kb

Spell-binding glimpses into the uncharted world of animal pleasure intrigued a capacity audience at the Centre for the Book in Cape Town on April 29 this year.

Speaking at the lecture and book-signing event to promote his ground-breaking new book Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good, leading animal behaviourist Dr Jonathan Balcombe said his research helps debunk the popular perception that life for most animals was a grim struggle for survival.

“Animal pain and stress, once controversial, are now acknowledged by legislation in many countries, but there is no formal recognition of animals’ ability to feel pleasure,” explained Dr Balcombe who is Senior Research Scientist for the Washington DC based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The evidence, he said, proved beyond doubt that animals enjoyed a robust ability for pleasure.

In all his research into the pursuit of pleasure in the animal kingdom, the lemurs in Madagascar were among the most fascinating. “Lemurs rub millipedes against their mouths and faces, causing the millipedes to release potent toxins which send them into a euphoric stupor,” he said. Tame rats, for their part, learned to love being tickled, making high-pitched chirps and titters, beyond the range of human hearing, linked to the origins of human laughter.

Asked to comment specifically on the lives of farm animals, Dr Balcombe said: “South Africa has the most charismatic wild fauna on Earth. But we need to remember that the humble cow, pig or sheep is equally sentient. All animals cherish life and all are equally deserving of our respect and protection.” Animals shared the primary emotions of fear, anger, lust, sadness and joy. More complex emotions such as jealousy, elation, surprise, embarrassment, disgust, depression, exhilaration, satisfaction and a sense of humour should be added. It was even likely that animals possessed some emotions which were beyond the realm of human experience,” Dr Balcombe said.

Dr Balcombe’s research has important ethical ramifications for both science and society. If animals experience good things, they had quality of life and a life worth living. As such, he explained, humans should not deprive them of their ability to enjoy their lives on Earth.

“I think the scientific establishment is beginning to awaken from a prolonged period of agnosticism regarding animal feelings…..

“When we acknowledge animals as feeling individuals, we realise that while we may have no moral obligation to provide pleasure to others, depriving them of opportunities to seek their own pleasures – as we do when we cage, confine and kill – is a serious moral issue. “Like us, animals are not just pain-avoiders, but pleasure-seekers, and the world is richer for it.”

Dr Balcombe’s presentation at the Centre for The Book was hosted by Compassion in World Farming (South Africa).

Highly recommended: Pleasurable Kingdom is available from most book stores. Retail price R179.00