Do Animals Feel Grief? Exploring Emotions and Loss Across Species

When we think about grief, it is often in the context of human experiences — the loss of a loved one, a pet, or a friend. However, grief is not a uniquely human experience. Across the animal kingdom, from elephants to pigs, there is compelling evidence increasingly emerging that many species experience grief and other complex emotions. Understanding these emotional and cognitive abilities is crucial in advocating for the rights and welfare of animals, especially those in farming and other industries.

Evidence and Examples of Animal Grief

Elephants:

One of the most well documented cases of grief in animals is seen in elephants, who form deep social bonds and exhibit behaviours strikingly similar to human mourning. When an elephant dies, its family members may touch and caress the body, remain with it for extended periods, and show signs of depression and stress. In some cases, elephants have been observed returning to the bones of deceased relatives, displaying what appears to be acts of respect and remembrance.

One of the most famous, and moving, examples of elephants displaying behaviours associated with grief is actually between a herd of elephants and a human. Lawrence Anthony, known as the Elephant Whisperer, formed an incredibly strong bond with a herd of wild African elephants after rescuing them from being put to death. He spent his days attempting to communicate with the herd, and devoted his life to providing a safe haven for them. Lawrence passed away in 2012, and the elephants somehow knew. After his death, the herd arrived outside of his house in solemn procession, rumbling and groaning, a pilgrimage that they have made every year since, on the anniversary of his death. This account not only demonstrates elephants’ incredible capacity for emotion and grief, but it also indicates an understanding and awareness that is perhaps beyond even our reckoning as humans.

Primates:

Research suggests that Primates, our closest relatives, experience grief when members of their group pass away, particularly close relatives or infants. This is seen in behaviours such as grooming the deceased, carrying dead infants for extended periods, and exhibiting signs of emotional distress such as changes in social interactions or feeding patterns.

For instance, Watts (2020) noted that gorillas engage in death-related behaviours, such as protecting and staying close to deceased group members. These responses indicate that primates, like humans, form deep social bonds and may experience grief, reflecting their emotional and cognitive

Cetaceans: 

Cetaceans, such as whales and dolphins, have been observed exhibiting behaviours that suggest they experience grief, particularly in response to the death of close companions or offspring. These behaviours include carrying or staying close to deceased individuals for extended periods, sometimes even days, and showing signs of distress such as vocalising or becoming socially withdrawn.

A study by Bearzi et al. (2018) documented dolphins holding dead calves above the water, which is interpreted as a mourning behaviour. Cetaceans develop incredibly strong social bonds which can lead to a number of behaviours that resemble human grief, driven by their cognitive and emotional complexity. These behaviours indicate that cetaceans may indeed be capable of feeling grief, highlighting their vast capacity for social attachment and emotional depth.

Birds:

Grief is not confined to mammals. Birds, particularly those with strong social bonds like crows and parrots, show signs of mourning. Crows, for instance, hold "funerals" where they gather around the deceased, often calling loudly, which seems to be a way of processing the loss.

Recently, the world watched as Magic, a gentoo penguin famous for his same-sex love story, grieved the loss of his partner Sphen. The decision was made to take Magic to Sphen’s side after he had passed, to help him process and understand that Sphen wouldn’t be returning. Upon seeing Sphen’s body, Magic, joined by the rest of the colony in the aquarium, began to sing. Although anecdotal, this evidence corroborates the belief that penguins understand death and engage in behaviours that can help them process loss, both as individuals and as a group. 

Farmed Animals and Grief

Farmed animals, often overlooked in discussions about animal emotions, also show the capacity to feel grief. Pigs, known for their intelligence and social nature, form close bonds with each other. When a pig loses a companion, it can exhibit signs of distress and depression, such as reduced appetite and activity levels. The loss affects them deeply, indicating a level of emotional complexity that demands our empathy and respect. Philosopher Danielle Celermajer beautifully documents her experience witnessing her pig, Jimmy, grieve in her book Summertime, after his partner died in a devastating wildfire.

Similar behaviours are observed in cows and sheep. Cows have been documented to bellow for days after their calves are taken away, a common practice in dairy farming. Sheep, known for their flocking behaviour and strong social bonds, show signs of distress when separated from their companions.

Cognitive Abilities and Emotional Depth

The capacity for grief in animals is intertwined with their cognitive abilities. Animals capable of experiencing grief possess complex brains and exhibit behaviours that suggest an understanding of death and the emotional ramifications of loss.

Studies on animal cognition are increasingly showing us that many species possess remarkable intelligence. For instance, pigs can solve problems, understand complex commands, and even use mirrors to find hidden food. These abilities indicate a level of consciousness that supports the presence of complex emotions, including grief. If you’re interesting in learning more about our evolving understanding of animal cognition, read this blog next!

Implications for Animal Advocacy

Understanding that animals can feel grief has profound implications for how we treat them. The more that research demonstrates their incredible intelligence and emotional capacity, the harder it is for people to ignore their plight. Recognising the emotional and cognitive lives of animals compels us to reconsider practices that cause them harm and suffering.

Farmed Animals: In the context of farmed animals, this knowledge urges us to rethink farming practices. The separation of mothers and offspring, the isolation of social animals, and the overall conditions in which these animals are kept must be scrutinised and improved. Advocating for higher welfare standards, such as enriched environments that allow for natural behaviours and social interactions, becomes even more critical.

Legislation and Protection: This understanding also supports stronger legislation to protect animals. Laws that recognise animals as sentient beings, capable of experiencing a range of emotions, can lead to better protection and more humane treatment. Advocacy efforts can leverage scientific evidence of animal intelligence and emotional depth to push for these changes.

Example: An example of the power that this combination of research and awareness raising can have is Blackfish. Originally released in 2013, Blackfish is a documentary that uncovered the horrors endured by the orcas captured and contained for entertainment in SeaWorld parks. Not only did it expose the cruelty behind the parks, but it also highlighted the vast intelligence of orcas and the devastating psychological consequences that a life confined to a pool can have on them.

The film caused outcry across the globe and as a result SeaWorld lost corporate sponsors, affiliates, and customers. Within 5 years two CEOs had left SeaWorld and they announced that they would end their orca breeding programme. More broadly, in 2016, the state of California passed a ban on captive orca breeding. In 2019, Canada passed a bill banning the keeping of dolphins and whales in captivity.

Conclusion

The grief felt by animals is a testament to their emotional and cognitive complexities. By acknowledging and understanding these experiences, we deepen our empathy and strengthen our resolve to advocate for their rights. As we continue to uncover the rich emotional lives of animals, it becomes increasingly clear that they deserve not only our compassion but also our active protection and respect. Our knowledge of their capacity for grief and other emotions is a powerful tool in the fight for a kinder and more humane world for all living beings.

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