TED Talks Daily Grief and love in the animal kingdom | Barbara J. King
Aug 19, 2020
Barbara J. King, a biological anthropologist, discusses the emotional lives of animals, focusing on their capacity for grief and love. She shares heart-wrenching stories, like that of orca Tahlequah mourning her calf, illustrating the complexity of animal emotions. King emphasizes that while animals may not grieve like humans, their suffering is undeniable and profound. She advocates for greater compassion and ethical treatment of animals, urging listeners to reflect on their dietary choices and the impact on these sentient beings.
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Tahlequah's Grief
- Tahlequah, an orca, carried her deceased calf for 17 days and over 1,000 miles.
- This demonstrated pronounced grief in the animal kingdom.
Animal Grief is Real
- Visible behavioral cues suggest animals experience genuine grief, not just stress or confusion.
- Dismissing this as anthropomorphism ignores animals' capacity for deep emotional bonds.
Elephant Empathy
- An elephant named Eleanor collapsed, and another elephant, Grace, tried to help her.
- After Eleanor died, Grace showed distress, and another elephant, Maui, held a vigil.