The way animals show intelligence and emotional response towards
situations at times is quite incredible. Although we usually call them
lower animals, but the way they responds towards some things may leave
us in awe. However, evolution has made humans to be more intellectually
and emotionally balance than them but that doesn't mean that these
creatures are completely dumb and stupid.
The reason we judge
them the way we do is because most times we don't pay much attention to
them just like we do to our fellow humans. If we start giving these low
niggas some attentions to really see how they behave, we will notice
that the distance between we and them when it comes to showing character
is just minute.
Elephants
If
you really knew how smart, sensitive, and creative these animals are,
you will marvel!. Upon seeing the bones or dead body of another
elephant, an elephant will stop and investigate the body, even if it was
not part of the group. If the deceased elephant is not related to the
group, they would touch the body gently with their trunks and cover it
with leaves or grass, but if its a member of their family, they would
occasionally stay with the body for several days to weeks just to
agonize and mourn over it.
Magpies
Still speaking of intelligence, Magpies are one of the most intelligent animals that exist. If you think humans are the only ones who love using mirrors to observe their pretty faces then you have not come across a Magpies. They are animals that admire themselves as well while starring at the mirror.
They are animals that are self aware but their
intelligence goes much more than that. Just like other birds, Magpies
interestingly show empathy to others of their own kind and the social
rituals they display towards their dead loved ones, leaves a lot of
scientist in awe.
Studies have shown that magpies feel a lot of griefs when they lost loved ones and they conduct funerals too. According to a research by Dr. Bekoff of the University of Colorado USA, he studied four magpies that took interest in a magpie corpse and recorded their behavior.
He noticed that one Magpie would
approached the corpse, gently and peck at it, then step back and another
would do the same. After each of them had finished pecking, they would
fly away to come back with a grass and lay it by the corps, then finally
they would hold vigil for few seconds before flying away one after the
other. This is quite an amazing funeral rituals from these lower
animals.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are quite close to humans so don't be amazed to know how emotional these close fellows can be too.
Take
a documented case of Dorothy for example. Dorothy was an elderly
Chimpanzee in Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre in eastern Cameroon.
Everyone working at the center knew that Dorothy was a “prominent
figure†among her family of chimps. The day Dorothy passed on was quite
the saddest day for the remaining Chimpanzees.
The family of
chimps lined up along the enclosure, showing griefs and agonizing over
the death of Dorothy. They placed their hands on one each others
shoulders, mourning and comforting one another.
Crows
Crows
are very skeptical when it comes to mourning their deceased. They would
surround the corpse, call out to each other, and give the body some
extra kinds of attention. They are one of the few animals that
investigate the death of their loved ones in other to avoid threats.
Gorillas
Gorillas
are another social species that develops strong attachments within
their family group. When a family member dies, the primates usually show
various signs of agony. They would gently touch and pat a deceased
family member and may even lay them to rest after wrapping them with
leaves. Mother gorillas have been observed to carry around their dead
infants for several day or even weeks just to protect the body against
scavengers and when the body start decomposing, they will eventually lay
them to rest while still feeling depressed.
Dolphins
Dolphins
are extremely very emotional when they loose their close relations.
They examining the body of their deceased with their snout and
aggressively safeguard it against predators. Mother dolphins have been
known to safeguard their dead infants for days to some weeks just to
prevent scavengers until their body starts decaying in readiness for
floating to the top of the sea.
Giraffes
Giraffes
are the world tallest creatures but not minding their heights, they
still bend down to pay respect to their dead ones. Various reports have
shown that mother giraffes hold vigil for their dead infants just to
protect the body for days before finally leaving it. It has also been
observed that when a group of giraffes come in contact with their dead
fellow, they would stop by to observe the body and mourn it for a while.