Title: Animals and Grief: Understanding Death Through the Eyes of Orcas and Other Species
In a profound display of maternal devotion, an orca named Tahlequah captured the world’s attention in the summer of 2018 when she carried her deceased calf through the waters off British Columbia for 17 long days. This heartbreaking behavior not only sparked conversations about the emotional lives of animals but also opened the door to a deeper exploration of how various species engage with the concept of death.
Dr. Susana Monsó, a philosopher specializing in animal minds at the National Distance Education University in Madrid, examines this phenomenon in her new book, “Playing Possum.” Through her research, she leads an emerging field known as comparative thanatology, which studies how different animals understand and react to death. “This idea of a mother clinging on to the corpse of her baby for 17 days seems like something we can understand, something we can relate to,” Dr. Monsó noted, reflecting on the human experience of loss.
While some may caution against anthropomorphism—the attribution of human traits to non-human entities—Dr. Monsó argues for a balance, recognizing that cognitive and emotional responses to death may not be exclusive to humans. She shares compelling examples of animal behavior that suggest a nuanced understanding of mortality exists even in species markedly different from ourselves.
For instance, ants exhibit a chemical response to deceased members by removing them from the colony, driven by the detection of oleic acid, a byproduct of decomposition. This behavior, while instinctual, indicates that many animals react to death in ways that serve their survival and social structures. Dr. Monsó argues that a “minimal concept of death,” recognizing the irrevocable absence of life, might be present in various species.
One striking example comes from chimpanzees. When a baby born with albinism was killed, the group’s initial fear shifted dramatically to curiosity over the dead infant. This response hints at an understanding that the baby had undergone a permanent change—a reality reminiscent of human grief when we lose loved ones.
Speaking of grief, the phenomenon of deceased-infant carrying—observed in Tahlequah and other mammal mothers—strongly suggests an emotional process akin to mourning. Such observations prompt reflection on scripts of loss and love deeply embedded in our shared existence, invoking biblical truths about the cycles of life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "To everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." This verse resonates with the concept that all living beings navigate through the intricate dance of life and death, providing us with an opportunity to empathize beyond species barriers.
As we contemplate the lessons from Tahlequah and the broader animal kingdom, we are encouraged to reflect on how we understand loss and how we cherish life. The bond between mothers and their young is a enduring reminder of love’s capacity to transcend even the finality of death.
Takeaway: Engaging with the emotional lives of animals invites us to reflect on our relationship with mortality and the spiritual truths that unite all living creatures. As we face our own grief, may we find solace in understanding that love is an eternal presence, empowering us to embrace hope and compassion in all aspects of life.
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