The loss of a loved one is undoubtedly one of the most challenging experiences for us humans. But did you know that we are not the only living beings to go through this kind of grieving? Today, we will delve into the fascinating world of animal emotions and explore how they bid farewell to the departed.
Elephants: Guardians of Memory
Our first entry takes us into the world of elephants. While these gentle giants may not seem emotional at first glance, they are highly sensitive beings. Elephants possess emotional skills that allow them to respond just like humans. Researcher Karen McComb spent extensive time observing and documenting elephant behavior. She discovered that elephants have an exceptional long-term memory. McComb recorded sounds of elephants before their passing and played them to other elephants months later. To her amazement, the elephants responded, showing that they remembered their missing companions even after a significant amount of time had passed.
Moreover, McComb noticed that elephants have an intriguing connection to carcasses and skeletons. When they come across the bones of their kind, they pause, becoming tense as if paying tribute to the deceased. They even touch and caress the remains, as if the elephant is still alive. This attachment and reverence for their deceased fellows are further emphasized as they cover the dead with sticks and dirt, their own form of burial. Elephants truly know how to say goodbye.
Giraffes: Nurturing Mothers
Giraffes, known for their majestic presence, also exhibit remarkable mourning behavior. To understand how giraffes bid farewell, we must first look at the neonatal bond between a mother and her calf. This bond can last as long as 16 months, surpassing that of many other animals. The bond between a mother giraffe and her daughter can be even stronger, extending beyond those first few months of bonding.
However, a sad reality awaits giraffe mothers as their calves have a high mortality rate, with a probability of losing them ranging from 58% to 73%. If such a tragedy occurs, the giraffe mother becomes incredibly nurturing and protective over her deceased offspring. She stands guard over the lifeless body, watching over it, and hoping that no wild predator comes to feed upon it. Letting go of their little ones is undoubtedly a painful process for these brave and devoted mothers.
Dolphins: Mourning Underwater
When it comes to exploring emotions in animals, dolphins often take center stage. Dolphins possess extraordinary intelligence and have their unique ways of mourning the loss of their loved ones. Joann Gonzalvo of the Tethers Research Institute dedicated years of observation to dolphins. Starting in 2006, he witnessed firsthand how these intelligent creatures mourn their dead.
Gonzalvo’s initial observation was of a mother dolphin struggling to accept the death of her newborn calf. She kept pushing the lifeless body to the surface, refusing to separate from it. This was a clear display of her difficulty in accepting her calf’s passing. Later, Gonzalvo witnessed a pod of dolphins swimming erratically, seemingly trying to keep a three-month-old dolphin afloat. Despite their efforts, the baby dolphin ultimately succumbed, and the group continued with their lives.
Gonzalvo believes that dolphins have a higher understanding of their mortality. They were aware that the little one was destined to die soon but did what they could to help it while it was still alive. Dolphins mourn in their own way, reminding us that emotions run deep under the sea.
Orcas: Lamenting the Loss
Just like dolphins, orcas, also known as killer whales, struggle with letting go of their dead, particularly when it comes to their young. In the waters off the coast of San Juan Islands in Washington, two orcas named L72 and L105 were spotted. The mother continuously pushed her dead baby for around six hours, lifting it out of the water from time to time. She even balanced the calf on top of her head, displaying an unwavering attachment.
It is unclear whether the whales grieved deeply or not, as projecting human emotions onto animals can be misleading. However, considering their high intelligence, it wouldn’t be surprising to find that they experience pain much like we do. Orcas are complex creatures with intricate social structures, and parting with their deceased loved ones is undeniably challenging for them.
Magpies: Mourning with Actions
While the Eurasian magpie may not be as large or well-known as the previous animals on this list, they possess surprising emotional depth. Magpies are incredibly intelligent birds, capable of self-recognition, as determined by the mirror test. Observations have also shown that magpies display their own version of grieving and even perform what resembles funerals.
Experts have noticed that magpies approach corpses, gently peck at them, and bring grass to place beside the deceased, mirroring how we bring flowers to loved ones in cemeteries. While we may never fully understand what goes on inside the minds of magpies, their actions speak louder than words. These gestures are a way for them to communicate their grief to others, showing that they, too, mourn the loss of their loved ones.
Wolves: A Pack’s Grief
Wolves, known for their tight-knit packs, display remarkable unity and loyalty. It is only natural, then, that they experience sadness when one of their members passes away. When a wolf dies, the rest of the pack can be seen walking with their tails and heads held low, a clear sign of depression. They cease their collective howling and mourn individually in their own unique way. This grieving process can last for several weeks before they slowly begin to return to their normal behavior.
This phenomenon was observed by Jim and Jamie Dutcher, who spent significant time observing wolves. They witnessed a whole pack’s mood change when they lost a low-ranking omega female wolf named Motaki. The wolves exhibited signs of depression, visibly saddened each time they walked near the spot where she lost her life. Wolves mourn just like humans, reminding us of the deep connections and emotions shared by different species.
Otters: Unexpected Bonding
Known for their playful and solitary nature, otters are not commonly associated with mourning. However, there are instances where otters respond to death in a deeply touching way. One particular story involves two otters named Louis and Isla, who arrived together at the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary in 2008. Their inseparable bond was evident from the start, prompting the center to hold a wedding ceremony for them in 2011.
These otters groomed each other, looked after each other, and even slept side by side. Despite their solitary inclinations, it seemed as though these two otters had paired up for life. Tragedy struck when Isla became ill and was taken to the vet. Her health issues were severe, and the decision was made to end her suffering. Louis, back at the center, kept looking for her, waiting for her to come back. He even avoided swimming on her side of the pool. It took him a while to adjust to life without Isla, and no other otter could fill the void she left behind.
Even solitary creatures like otters can experience profound grief and attachment, defying our expectations.
Sea Lions: Heartfelt Sorrow
Mourning is not limited to land-dwelling creatures; it extends to the water as well. Sea lions exhibit emotion and grief in the face of loss. Scientist Marc Bekoff, in his book about animal emotions, shares stories about sea lions mourning their fallen pups. He describes the eerie and pitiful wails of sea lion mothers as they witness their babies being attacked and devoured by predators.
Amidst this heart-wrenching scenario, sea lions react just as any loving human mother would. Other animals may appear unaffected, but sea lions express the pain and sorrow they feel for their lost offspring. This reminder that mourning crosses species boundaries enforces the fact that sea lions, too, experience emotions that resonate with our own.
Crows: Funerals from Above
Crows often evoke a sense of mystery and darkness, but beneath their enigmatic exterior lies surprising intelligence and care for one another. These birds have been observed conducting their own form of funerals, demonstrating a profound understanding of death. Kaylee Swift, a PhD candidate at the University of Washington, conducted an experiment to explore crow behavior.
Swift visited a park filled with crows, offering them peanuts for gathering and eating. However, during one visit, she wore a creepy mask and held a taxidermy crow. This sparked a reaction among the crows, warning others about the potential dangers associated with the strange figure and the dead crow. Following subsequent visits without the mask or the motionless bird, it took the crows longer to feel comfortable enough to approach and grab the food. However, when Swift returned with the mask, the crows once again made their presence known. Crows’ ability to perceive death and their communal response to it showcases their intelligence and unique mourning practices.
Primates: Akin to Humans
Last but not least, we delve into the world of primates—chimpanzees, orangutans, and various monkey species. These creatures share numerous characteristics with humans and exhibit signs of grief when faced with the loss of a loved one. Jane Goodall, renowned for her research on chimpanzees, describes how chimpanzee mothers carry and care for their deceased infants, exhibiting a sense of defense. Observations of different primate species have revealed behaviors like cleaning corpses, augmenting the dead, and even avoiding areas where they lost their loved ones.
A poignant video captures a group of monkeys mourning the presumed injury of a robot monkey. These animals lamented in their own unique way, exhibiting emotions that resonate with our own. The grief observed in primates highlights the deep connection we share with our closest relatives in the animal world.
Conclusion: Emotions Beyond Human Borders
This exploration of animal mourning has shown us that intense emotions, such as grief, extend far beyond the human realm. Elephants remember their fallen comrades, giraffes fiercely protect their deceased calves, dolphins mourn their young, orcas struggle to let go, magpies pay their respects, wolves grieve together, otters mourn the loss of their partner, sea lions express sorrow, crows conduct their own funerals, and primates display profound grief.
While we may not speak the languages of these animals, their actions speak volumes. We are not alone in experiencing intense emotions; the animal kingdom joins us in the universal language of grief. Have you ever witnessed an animal grieving or know of other animals not mentioned on this list? Share your experiences and knowledge in the comment section below. Let us embrace and honor the rich emotional lives that exist beyond human borders.
