Animal Grief

Grief is not just a human emotion.  

There has been studies showing that other animals experience grief as well as us humans.

Marc Bekoff, an American biologist spend his time researching animal emotions, including grief.

Wolves, giraffes, chimpanzees, whales/dolphins, elephants and many other species express emotions similar to grief, such as stress reactions dues to a death of a significant loved one, and therefore affecting their own psychological trauma or stress.

Ive seen elephants gather around the carcass of a family member, nudging at the bones and trying to understand and process what has happened.  A safari guide explaining that these members will often stay with the body until they have, what seems to us humans, acceptance of the death.

I love how wild animals can show these emotions and decide when they are ready to move forward.  How can we learn from these majestic beings?

Animal Grief