Animal mourning: The science behind animal mourning

When we think about grief, we most often associate it with human behavior: the emotional pain after the loss of a loved one, funeral rituals, and the process of overcoming sadness. However, more and more studies suggest that grief is not unique to humans. Numerous animal species also show signs of mourning, a phenomenon that challenges our preconceptions about consciousness and emotions in the animal kingdom.

What is Animal Grief?

Animal mourning is a set of behaviors observed in animals after the death of a member of their social group or a close figure, such as a baby, partner or group mate. These behaviors vary between species, but often include signs of sadness, changes in behavioral patterns, and, in some cases, an attempt to understand or interact with the body of the deceased.

Although the interpretation of grief in animals remains a subject of debate among scientists, many researchers agree that these behaviors reflect some degree of emotional pain or deep affection toward the lost individual.

Examples of Duel in Animals

Grief in animals has been observed in a variety of species, particularly those that have complex social structures or close family ties. Below, we explore some of the most notable examples:

1. Elephants

The elephants They are perhaps one of the best-known examples of animals that appear to experience grief. These majestic creatures have been observed displaying unique behavior upon the death of a member of their pack. When an elephant dies, its companions often surround the body, touching it with their trunks and staying with it for hours or even days. In some cases, elephants have been seen attempting to “reanimate” the deceased, an act that suggests some kind of understanding of death.

Elephants also visit the “graves” of their loved ones long after they have died, an action that suggests these animals maintain an emotional memory of the individuals they lost.

2. Chimpanzees and Other Primates

The chimpanzeesour closest relatives in the animal kingdom, also display mourning behaviors. One documented case showed how a mother chimpanzee carried her dead baby for several days, refusing to leave it. Other members of the group were coming to inspect the body and seemed to demonstrate an understanding that something was wrong.

This type of behavior is not exclusive to chimpanzees. Gorillas, bonobos and orangutans They have also been observed showing sadness and melancholy after the death of a member of their group.

3. Dolphins and Whales

Among the cetaceanslike dolphins and whales, have also been observed behaviors that could be interpreted as mourning. Orcas, for example, are known to carry deceased calves for days or weeks, swimming with the body of their offspring on their backs or pushing them to the surface. These marine animals, which have highly developed brains and exhibit complex social structures, appear to demonstrate a deep attachment to their mates and offspring.

In some cases, groups of dolphins have been seen forming circles around a deceased individual, as if they were holding a kind of collective “wake”.

4. Birds

Grief has also been documented among birds. The crows and the magpiesfor example, are known for their intelligence and intricate social interactions. These birds have been observed gathering around the body of a deceased fellow bird, emitting calls that could be interpreted as expressions of mourning.

A study conducted with magpies showed that these birds not only stay close to their dead companions, but sometimes cover them with grasses and branches, a behavior that suggests the presence of a rudimentary form of ritual.

Why Duel in Animals?

Grieving behavior in animals raises a fascinating question: What purpose does this type of behavior serve in nature? Although there are no definitive answers yet, scientists have proposed several theories that could explain why animals develop mourning behaviors.

1. Strong Social Ties: Many animal species depend on cooperation and social relationships to survive. Grief can be an expression of the deep emotional bonds that individuals develop within their group, which strengthens social structures and alliances. This type of emotional behavior could also have evolved as a mechanism to facilitate social cohesion.

2. Learning about Death: In some cases, mourning behavior could help animals understand and process the death. The researchers suggest that animals, especially those with greater cognitive ability, could be recognizing the difference between life and death, which motivates them to respond emotionally to the loss.

3. Protect the Community: Another hypothesis suggests that mourning behavior may be a way to ensure group safety. Staying close to a dead companion and analyzing the cause of its death could be a strategy to learn about possible threats, such as diseases or predators.

Implications for the Science of Animal Behavior

The study of animal grief is a relatively young field within ethology (the study of animal behavior), but it is gaining importance as research on animal emotions and cognition deepens. Observations of animal grief not only challenge our perceptions of emotions in other species, but also raise ethical questions about how we treat animals in captivity and in the wild.

For example, if animals can experience emotional pain, should we reconsider how we treat them in exploitative situations, such as in zoos or laboratories? Additionally, better understanding grief in animals can also shed light on the evolutionary roots of our own emotions and social behaviors.