Whales and primates are capable of carrying their dead young for several days. Thus, a collection of observations seems to indicate that animals experience mourning. Avoiding the temptation of anthropomorphism, evolutionary thanatology studies these phenomena.
- Sabrina Krief Veterinarian and primatologist, professor at MNHN, specialist in behavioral ecology and zoopharmacognosy
- Elise Huchard CNRS research director in behavioral ecology at the Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier (ISEM), specialist in the evolution of social behavior in mammals.
Since the development of modern ethology in the 20th century, our view of animals has continued to evolve: but do they understand death and mourn their loved ones?
The study of animal reactions to death is a recent field of research. We have a large collection of observations: whales that carry their dead young for several days, but also primates and elephants. Until now, the experience of mourning was considered to be a characteristic of human beings. But ethology is breaking down more and more of the barriers that were supposed to separate us from the rest of the animal world. We know that the use of tools, gastronomy or even a form of language is no longer unique to our species. What about mourning?
Are crows expressing a form of grief at the death of a fellow bird?
Observation of a pair of crows at the Jardin des Plantes with ethologists Agatha Liévin Bazin and Marie-Lan Taÿ-Pamart, who specialize in the study of crows.
https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/la-science-cqfd/deuil-animal-8218225
