Anguished Animals

Check out this article featured in our latest newsletter:

 

Image from forumserver.twoplustwo.com

 

Much like we experience grief after the loss of a loved one, some species of animals experience this too, in a range of ways. Scientists have observed behaviours that seem to indicate certain animals are grief-stricken and feeling the loss of a mate, friend or the remains of one of their species. Here are some examples:

Elephants are extremely emotional animals, easily bonding with other elephants or the humans who care for them. These deep attachments can lead to terrible grief when a loved one dies. When herds come across elephant bones, skulls and tusks they touch and explore the remains, sometimes carrying them away.

Chimpanzees’ close genetic makeup to humans means they get some of our faults as well. The primates are known to become distressed when they lose close members of their groups. The animals will often cry, refuse food, mope and separate themselves during grieving periods.

 

Image from Brendansadventures.com

 

Geese are very serious about commitment, devoting themselves to one bird for a lifetime. After a goose dies, its mate will undergo a rigorous mourning process, including weight loss, separation from the flock and submission to other geese. Eventually, the goose will find a new mate in another bird that has lost its partner.

Stereotypes say that cats are loners, but observation has shown that many felines grieve when they lose an owner or cat friend. This process can include running away, not eating, excessive meowing and house-training mistakes.

Sea lions have been seen to cry out in anguish when their babies are taken by predators. A sea lion will continue wailing in mourning after its child has died. The same behaviour has also been seen in sea lions dealing with companions taken by hunters.

Wolves also mourn lost pack members. After the death of a wolf, the remainder of the pack walk with their heads and tails held low – a sign of depression. They no longer howl as a group, but each cries in their own way. This behaviour often lasts for a few weeks.

 

Image from sodahead.com

 

Grief is not just a human emotion; it’s something that many different species feel. We all grieve in our own way, why would it be so difficult to think that other living beings don’t feel the loss of a loved one as heavily as we can?

 

Read the full animal edition newsletter here!