[zan]

I'm not generally a fan of anthropomorphisms because I think it often takes something away from the animal itself. I think it can help remind people that animals aren't just unfeeling objects and I think it's fair enough that people do it when teaching or to convey a point, but it's also dangerous if we assume animals feel the same way about a situation as we would.

It's something that has big implications in the welfare of e.g. domestic food animals or in designing zoo enclosures. I haev a friend who works in an aquarium, and she is always saying how many complaints they get that their (rescued, non-releasable) turtle must be lonely. Doesn't matter taht it's a naturally solitary species...

the only way to really work out the animal's 'feelings' are to get to know it intimately, whether through research or owning a captive animal. As long as that's done carefully and well, it shouldn't be a problem.