Do Animals Grieve?

In 2018, an orca named Tahlequah experienced a devastating loss when her newborn daughter died shortly after birth. What followed was an extraordinary display of behavior that raised questions about the existence of grief in non-human animals. Tahlequah spent the next 17 days and covered a distance of 1,600 kilometers, refusing to abandon her deceased calf's body. She would dive to retrieve it whenever it slipped away, even as it began to deteriorate. This poignant event challenges our understanding of animal emotions and prompts us to explore the possibility of non-human animals experiencing grief.

The question of whether non-human animals grieve has intrigued researchers for centuries. In 1871, Charles Darwin argued that animals exhibit a wide range of emotions, including grief. However, projecting human emotions onto other species has long been a point of contention among scientists, especially due to the lack of a reliable means of communication between human and animal minds. Some scientists have proposed that animals may display unusual behaviors following a death for adaptive reasons, rather than due to emotional responses. This view has historically positioned humans as the exceptional beings capable of thinking and feeling, while other animals merely reacted and survived.

Throughout the 20th century, the notion of human exceptionalism faced increasing challenges. In 1985, Koko, a gorilla trained in American Sign Language, demonstrated signs of grief when she learned of her kitten companion's death. Koko made distress calls and, weeks later, expressed emotions of sadness and crying when shown a photo of another kitten. These observations, alongside a growing body of data, suggest that grief may extend beyond the human realm to include certain mammals and birds.

Various instances provide compelling evidence of grief-like behavior in non-human animals. In 2003, an elephant named Eleanor collapsed, and another matriarch named Grace rushed to her aid, attempting to help her stand. When Eleanor eventually succumbed to death, a female elephant named Maui positioned herself over the body, rocking back and forth—an act reminiscent of mourning. Over the course of a week, elephants from different families visited Eleanor's body, suggesting a collective acknowledgment of her passing. Similarly, giraffes have been observed closely attending to a deceased calf, with the mother remaining beside it even after scavengers had consumed parts of the carcass.

Scientists have also employed quantitative methods to study animals' responses to death. In one study, researchers analyzed baboon fecal samples for stress hormones called glucocorticoids, which increase in humans following a bereavement. Comparing samples from females who lost close relatives to predator attacks with those who didn't, the researchers found significantly higher levels of glucocorticoids in the bereaved baboons. These baboons subsequently engaged in increased grooming behavior and expanded their social networks, suggesting a response to stress and a need for social support.

Observations of primate mothers carrying their deceased offspring have revealed conflicting behaviors. These mothers may alternate between cannibalizing or dragging the corpse and carrying or grooming it with care, indicating conflicting impulses towards the deceased. These observations emphasize the complexity of emotions experienced by non-human animals in the face of loss.

Despite these compelling observations, our current understanding of animal emotional landscapes remains limited. A more comprehensive understanding of mourning in the animal kingdom necessitates extensive research. The outcomes of these studies carry real-world implications, such as determining the conditions under which orcas should be kept in captivity or whether dairy cows should be separated from their newborn calves. The emotive nature of these discussions underscores the importance of exploring animal emotions responsibly.

In the absence of conclusive data, the question arises: how should we treat non-human animals when considering their capacity for grief? The potential harm caused by either assuming animals lack the capacity to grieve or recognizing their emotional experiences is evident. The former may perpetuate the mistreatment of animals, while the latter may lead to misguided actions based on anthropomorphic interpretations. Given these implications, it becomes crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity, guided by scientific evidence and ethical consideration.

The story of Tahlequah and her extraordinary journey provides a powerful catalyst for reevaluating our understanding of grief in non-human animals. While skepticism and caution have long characterized scientific inquiry into animal emotions, mounting evidence challenges the notion of human exceptionalism. The behaviors exhibited by animals such as elephants, giraffes, baboons, and primates indicate the possibility of grief-like experiences among various species. As we strive for a deeper comprehension of animal emotions, further research is essential. Until then, it is crucial to approach the treatment of non-human animals with empathy and consideration, recognizing the potential for emotional experiences that extend beyond our own species.