Real-Life Dr. Doolittle Can Apparently Talk To Animals

Scottish scientist Dr. Ian Duncan from the University of Guelph, Canada claims to have developed a “strictly scientific” method of talking to animals, which he will reveal in greater detail next week at a Washington conference on animal welfare and sentience.

Duncan’s talents recently came to light after Denmark’s recent and controversial ban on kosher and halal slaughter. He has been a vocal opponent of slaughter for religious reasons.

In the ’80s and ’90s, his research sparked changes in battery farm regulations for chickens and pigs. In the video “Inside the Henhouse with Dr. Ian Duncan,” the scientist explains how hens suffer in crowded battery cages, and contrasts them with free-run chickens who can move about, peck at their food, and drink at will. He shows how, with a few simple alterations, the latter system can be transformed into an even better free-range system that allows hens to roam outside.

For animal lovers, Duncan’s observations seem like common sense. Of course, animals lead happier and more fulfilling lives when given more space and access to fresh air. But not everyone empathizes with livestock animals and Duncan’s methods could help farmers understand their feelings and further improve their lives. “It used to be thought that animals were ‘dumb,’ driven by programmed instincts and responses,” Duncan said, “but now it is clear they lead a much richer life than we ever realized and can remember the past and think about the future. We could use that knowledge to ask questions about their care and then improve it.”

We look forward to next week’s conference, when the doctor will elaborate on his special communication techniques.