Guest guest Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 netscape.com/corewidgets/news/story.psp?cat=51180 & id=20031127165500011\ 8534 MyNetscape Top News Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003 Turkeys May Not Be Stupid After All PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon State University poultry scientist thinks turkeys are getting a bum rap. While they may not be the sharpest arrows in the quiver, Tom Savage, a professor of Animal Science, said the big birds aren't really dumb. ``I've always viewed turkeys as smart animals with personality and character, and keen awareness of their surroundings,'' Savage said. ``The 'dumb' tag simply doesn't fit.'' Stories abound of how turkeys are so stupid that they sometimes look up while it's raining and keep staring skyward until they drown. Savage said turkeys sometimes do cock their heads and hold that position for a minute or more. It's a genetically caused nervous disorder that Savage identified in the early 1990s. ``It's an example of how a misunderstood animal behavior becomes identified as proof that the animal is extremely lacking in intelligence,'' Savage said. And he noted that wild turkeys are cunning enough to leave hunters frustrated and cursing. Savage said he knows it's an uphill fight to reshape the fowls' image as anything but a big, dumb bird. But he said he'll keep trying. ``I'm an advocate for turkeys,'' Savage said. ``Except on Thanksgiving.'' *********** Which proves he is unethical and has no qualms murdering something for his own greed. Help - Site Help Map - Advertise with Us - Add Site - What's New - What's Cool 2000 Netscape. All rights reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy Les Nincompoops A St. Petersburg Times Editorial © St. Petersburg Times 3-14-3 Instead of dealing seriously with the Iraq crisis, too many members of Congress are busy banning french fries and exploiting the memory of our D-day heroes. Leave it to members of Congress to find ways to distort and trivialize even the deadly serious subject of war. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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