Do Animals Feel Grief? What Science Says About Mourning in the Wild
Times Life December 19, 2025 01:39 AM
When an elephant calf falls or dies, the matriarch (the female head of the group) and the entire herd form a protective circle around it, gently touching it with their trunk. Or it was noticed in many Labrador dogs who won't eat for days after their owner dies. These moments among animals feel similar to human grief. Throughout history, people have noticed such behaviour and shared stories about it. But in the contemporary world, science asks a tougher question, are these behaviours among animals genuine grief, or are we reading our own emotions into animal actions?
Behaviours That Look Like Grief
It's observed across many species of animals to linger frequently near the dead, sniffing, nudging or touching the body. Whales and dolphins observed carrying or escorting dead calves for hours or even for days. Common among wolves and some birds, they increase their calling after losing a member of their species. Among dogs and some birds, they decrease eating, their behaviour is withdrawn, and sleep disturbances are observed. Corvids or ritual-like behaviour have been observed in some mammals and birds like crows and magpies; they appear to hold "mortality gathering" by inspecting the body or producing distinct vocal reactions.
What Science Explains
Science after studying animal behaviour, their body chemistry and evolution come to the conclusion that social animals such as dog has strong attachments between mothers, mates and group members. When these bonds break, brain chemicals linked to attachment are disrupted, leading to behaviours like withdrawal, searching and loss of appetite. However, scientists still remain cautious, because animals cannot express emotions in words and those behaviours can result from illness or environmental stress. Repeated observations and biological evidence suggest that while animal grief may differ from human grief, it is real in its own way.
So the question is, do animals feel grief? probably, showing forms that seem meaningful to them. The evidence invites a careful humility that we should neither romanticise nor dismiss animal sorrow. We can, however, watch closely, measure wisely and let compassion guide how we coexist with the many beings who share our world.
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FAQs
Q1. Do wild animals feel emotions?
Ans: Animals are beings that are capable of experienceing feelings and sensations.
Q2. Can animals feel human sadness?
Ans: Dogs can sense human emotions
Q3. Which animal don't talk?
Ans: ellyfish, snails, worms, starfish, and crabs having no vocal cords at all.
