At a time when many humans can't feel even basic emotions like empathy, it is reassuring to know at least one group of animals can share pain.

Originally posted by riddle6
Did you know Kanzi has an official Facebook page? "He" updates and everything!

No? Really?
But why should that even surprise me?

And, you know, when they say "he" updates it, I am sure HE does!

Thanks for telling me.





[edit on 28-10-2009 by Vanitas]

A few days ago i was at the driving range, and there were about 50 geese out there eating grass. I accidently topped a 3 wood shot and killed one of them. All the geese gathered round him in a circle and mourned him for about ten minutes (pretty sad actually).

Its funny that some people are so disconnected from nature. That they belive animals are just mindless drones, unable to process thoughts such as emotion.

This picture reminds me of a couple others. One was of Koko the gorilla, who had a little kitten she named All Ball. Koko could communicate with people using sign language. She loved that kitten, played with it, kept it as a pet. There was a great picture of this huge gorilla holding this tiny little kitten in her massive hands. The kitten was completely relaxed, so you know that Koko wasn't hurting her, even though she was incredibly powerful.

Another great image was of a female gorilla in a zoo, cradling a human child who had fallen into the gorilla pit and was knocked unconscious. She cradled him in her lap, which was a cue to the other gorillas not to bother the kid. She kept him until zoo workers could get in there and get the kid out. Somehow she knew this kid was in danger, and did what was necessary to protect him.

It is obvious that animals have feelings. They certainly show fear and anger, for example. The ones I live with also show affection and friendliness, pleasure, annoyance, etc. And these are cats, not well known for their affection.

Having just lost one of my cats I can assure you that cats do grieve. When she got sick each of them sat beside her for some time, one for a few minutes another an hour and the last one sat by her bed all night. When I took her to the hospital and came home without her they were all looking at me strangely. The next day when I made the decision to let her go it was like they knew why I was crying. They were all very sad and clung to me for almost an entire week, especially her partner. Anyone that has a pet doesn't need any scientist or theologian to tell them that animals have feelings.

people who think animals don't mourn, don't think, and are on completely separate terms than us humans are so beyond me. We share this planet with a whole mess of non human, thinking, feeling, beings... We're the bad guys when you think of all the destruction we cause ourselves, this planet, and the ones we share her with.

anyway...
Nice pic. Reminds me of the hippos on "Planet Earth" that mourned the death of their leader... even giving him a funeral... really beautiful, really sad, very enlightening.
My heart goes out to those chimps, and everything/everyone else.

what a bummer but this is no surprise elephants andwhales and various other mammels

All animals have feelings and emotions, this shouldn't "wow" the masses. Especially if it's chimps.

Thanks for posting

I am touched by the report but not surprised as I have always thought that animals have emotion and understand death and can be effected by a lose .

Bless their pea picken little hearts. That is a heart felt image, those little Chimps paying respect to their friend. I too believe animals have feelings, being around animals most of my life it is easy to see their reactions and their emotions. I do not believe we are related to them but I do believe they have emotions. Animals are very emotional I have seen them get mad, enviouse, grieve, experience joy and yes even cry. Most animals are sweet and have tender hearts in my opinion, that is not to say they won't make you dinner or protect themselves I believe survival often trumps tender. I am rambling now so I'll sign off.