TED-Ed: Can other animals understand death? | Barbara J. King

The video explores whether nonhuman animals experience grief, using examples like Tahlequah the orca, Coco the gorilla, elephants, and giraffes. It discusses historical perspectives, scientific skepticism, and recent research on animal emotions. The video raises ethical questions about animal treatment and the implications of recognizing animal grief.

What unusual behavior did Tahlequah, the orca, exhibit after her calf died?

• She joined another pod.

• She stopped swimming entirely.

• She carried the calf for 17 days.

• She left the calf immediately.

What was Charles Darwin's argument regarding animal emotions?

• Only humans can feel grief.

• Animals only react instinctively without emotions.

• Animals experience a wide range of emotions, including grief.

• Animals do not experience any emotions.

How did the gorilla Coco react to the death of her kitten companion?

• She ignored the news.

• She showed signs of distress and sadness.

• She became aggressive.

• She forgot about the kitten immediately.

What behavior did elephants exhibit after the death of Eleanor, the matriarch?

• They visited her body and showed signs of mourning.

• They left the area immediately.

• They became aggressive towards other animals.

• They ignored her body.

What did researchers find about baboon stress hormone levels after a close relative's death?

• The levels fluctuated randomly.

• The levels decreased significantly.

• The levels remained unchanged.

• The levels increased significantly.

What conflicting behaviors have been observed in primate mothers carrying their dead children?

• They only groom the bodies.

• They only cannibalize the bodies.

• They abandon the bodies immediately.

• They switch between grooming and cannibalizing the bodies.

What is a potential implication of understanding animal grief?

• It would only affect wild animal conservation.

• It could lead to more animals being kept in captivity.

• It would have no impact on animal treatment.

• It might change how we treat animals in captivity and agriculture.