Aalfred the eel, who has lived in a German family's bathtub since 1969, has been given clearance by authorities to remain with his adoptive family.
Aalfred's future was uncertain after animal rights activists demanded that the squiggly family friend be released into the wild, asserting that he was being held in unnatural circumstances. A veterinarian called in to supervise the case disagreed with this reasoning, describing Aalfred as being in good health and "apparently happy."
The Leisure Agency contacted Aquatic Consultant Dr. Phillippa Delaney, who confirmed the vet's theory. "I have spoken to Aalfred personally using the Marine Real-Time Translation Unit, and I can attest to the fact that he has adapted well to his new environment. Aalfred is quite pleased with his bathtub home, and requested only that his host family consider buying him a larger bucket, preferably pink, to rest in when they bathe. For some reason, eels really like the color pink."
Dr. Delaney developed the Marine Real-Time Translation Unit in consultation with Bili Rubin in an effort to communicate with various sea creatures. She is founder of the International Animals Are Smarter Than We Think, and Maybe It's About Time We Started Listening to Them Foundation. IAASTWT,MIATWSLTTF works with various agencies world-wide to help broaden our communication with the animal world.
Posted by hilatron at February 3, 2003 11:37 PM | TrackBack