The question of whether animals are capable of being aware of death has long intrigued not only biologists but also philosophers. In Spain, as around the world, scientists are increasingly documenting unusual behaviors in elephants, crows, and dolphins when confronted with the death of a member of their group. These observations raise the possibility that animals may not be so different from humans in understanding the finality of life.
In recent years, scientists have begun debating whether members of the animal kingdom can experience something akin to grief. Elephants, for example, are often seen lingering near the remains of deceased herd members, while crows gather around their dead and emit alarmed cries. Dolphins have been observed accompanying the bodies of dead calves for hours, preventing them from sinking. All of this seems to point to unique rituals, though their true meaning remains a mystery.
Elephants and Their Rituals
In 2024, Indian researchers for the first time described in detail the unusual behavior of elephants on tea plantations. Five cases were recorded in which herds carried the bodies of dead calves to irrigation canals, then buried them and made loud sounds for about half an hour. Notably, after this, the elephants avoided the burial site, even though they had previously passed by it often.
Such incidents were previously known only from eyewitness accounts, but now they have received scientific confirmation. Zoologists note that elephants can distinguish the bones of their own species from those of other animals and show a particular interest in them. Sometimes, adult elephants stay near a dying companion for a long time, and later return to the place where it died.
Grief in primates
Elephants aren’t the only animals to display unusual behavior around death. Chimpanzees and other primates also show signs of mourning. In some cases, adults try to cover the body of a deceased companion with leaves or branches, and mothers may not leave their dead infants for a long time. At the Chimfunshi sanctuary, scientists witnessed a foster mother cleaning the teeth of a young male after his death, as if performing a final act of care.
Orphans who lose their mothers often become apathetic, lose their appetite, and can even die from starvation. There are cases where talking primates such as the gorilla Koko and the chimpanzee Washoe have responded to the death of loved ones with gestures expressing grief, and have even demanded explanations from humans.
Marine mammals
Scenes reminiscent of mourning also unfold in the oceans. Sperm whales gather around deceased members of their group, displaying signs of distress. Female dolphins may carry the bodies of dead calves on their backs or in their mouths, refusing to let go for several days. One of the most famous stories involves the orca Tahlequah, who for 17 days and over a thousand miles would not part with her dead calf.
Similar behavior has been observed in other species: dogs lose their appetite after the death of a companion, wolves bury deceased pups, and magpies gather around their dead peers, making loud sounds. Even hoofed peccaries visit the remains of the dead for several days until a predator carries them away.
Where is the line between instinct and awareness?
Despite numerous observations, scientists are cautious about drawing definitive conclusions. Carrying the body of a dead calf does not necessarily mean grief, and interest in remains may simply be curiosity or a disruption of routine behavior. Even actions like cleaning the teeth of a dead chimpanzee may be random rather than a conscious ritual.
The question of what it means for an animal to be mortal remains open. What cognitive abilities are needed to understand the irreversibility of death? So far, science has no clear answer, but each new observation brings us closer to solving the mystery.
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