This summer, many people were captivated by the news of the mother orca in the Pacific Northwest who would not break contact with her deceased calf. This orca spent a period of 17 days doing her best to try to keep her calf afloat. Seemingly, the mother could not accept the fact that her calf was dead.
Many who looked on this scene interpreted it as a mother who was grieving for her dead calf. However, not all scientists are willing to make that assessment. Until very recently, most scientists did not attribute the capacity of grief to animals. New evidence is beginning to cause scientists to rethink some of their past ideas regarding animal emotions and grief in animals.
Several wildlife scientists have documented what appears to be grief within elephants. When a group of elephants comes upon the bones of a dead elephant, the elephants will use their trunks to thoroughly inspect the bones. The elephants make certain noises that are reserved for encounters with dead elephants.
Both captive and wild chimpanzees have been noted to engage in grieving behaviors. In one instance, a group of chimpanzees groomed and picked straw out of the hair of a dead chimp. The group would not go near the area where the chimpanzee had died for many days.
Mother chimpanzees have been observed holding their dead infants for several days. Some scientists have interpreted this as chimpanzees maintaining social connections after the death of other chimpanzees they’ve been associated with.
Birds also demonstrate what some scientists classify as grieving behaviors. Magpies will often take sticks and leaves and cover up the body of one of their fellows. Some scientists refer to these as magpie funerals.
Crows also express grieving behavior. When crows encounter a crow that is dead, a large group will form near the dead crow. The crows will then engage in loud squawking and calling for a considerable period of time.
At this time, not all scientists agree regarding whether or not animals experience grief. Wildlife scientists and scientists who study pets are actively engaged in many studies that are trying to shed more light on the whole subject of animal emotions.
