Alex the Grey

[Arshia]

I agree with Eurycerus, and don't think nthat the implications are as bad as you guys make it sound.
There are plenty of parrots (U2s come to mind) that get mistreated, put in rescues, and go through things far worse than what Alex went through. At least this one contributed to science, and had a decent owner.

[GreenWing]

You'd think, for all Dr. Pepperberg's gushing about how intelligent he was she'd of stopped treating him like a mindless wind-up toy. I mean, if he was as smart as a five year old what five year old wants to live in a cage, in an artificial lab and have people blabbering at him all day asking the same damn questions? See how many kids would live in a barren cage and answer 'what colour, what matter, how many' all day without going nuts (I'm sorry--I've seen where his cage was--it was barren and bland in an equally bland office).

I couldn't agree more. I'm a big science nerd, but the treatment of animals in the name of science can be terribly unethical and downright sickening.

The environment appeared too unnatural for Alex. Was there even a window for him? When Alex would say "Go back" my heart would wrench; he was done! Alex needed a better environment, and not to be worked so hard.