Animal Emotions

The problems we face with stray animals and with filthy, feral, invasive, and unwanted “tossed aside” species say a lot about us. Our anthropocentric arrogance shines when we use such derogatory terms and these words inform our actions. Compassionate conservation with its emphasis on the well-being of individual animals, can come to the rescue of these “disgusting others”. Read More

Rory Freedman's latest book called "Beg" is a must read about how we must do more to improve the lives of other animals. Her direct approach and occasional irreverence are very much welcomed as are the deep and unwavering passion and love she offers to other animals and brings to her readers. It's really easy to make the lives of other animals much better. Let's do it now. Read More

Groupers and coral trout signal the location of hidden prey with their head. This is the first observation of the use of a referential gesture by fish. Read More

Benjamin Beck's novel about saving endangered golden lion tamarins is a must read. If you want to learn about the ups and downs and the ins and outs of conservation biology on the ground, this is the book to read. You'll learn about how science is done in the most difficult of situations in which many people would have thrown up their hands and gone home. Read More

In a forthcoming book about how we treat other animals especially on factory farms, Dr. Tatjana Visak asks, "How can it be that we cannot kick them but we can kill them?" Should we kill happy animals? I think not, and all the philosophy in the world and Temple Grandin's stairway to heaven aren't going to convince me that the answer should be an easy "yes". Read More

Animal abuse in film continues and the statement "No animal was harmed" has little to no meaning. Why does the American Humane Association get away with failing the animals? A New York Times essay "Speaking for the Animals on Film Sets" shows how people continue to pass the buck. Surely there have to be major changes so that the mistreatment of animals in film stops now. Read More

The reprehensible killing of dolphins in Japan is discussed in a scientific journal in an essay titled "A Veterinary and Behavioral Analysis of the Killing Methods Used in the Dolphin Drive Hunts in Taiji, Japan". As was done in "The Cove", this is a wonderful move for continuing to raise awareness of what is happening in Taiji. The dolphins need all the help they can get. Read More

Small-brained animals display surprising and very sophisticated cognitive skills. Relative brain size is only one factor to consider when studying just how smart animals are because individuals maximize the use of what they have. Being called a birdbrain or a bee brain really is okay. Size doesn't matter. Read More

A new book by Barbara King called "How Animals Grieve" is a must read for all. Dr. King clearly comes down on the side that grief is widespread among diverse animals and there may be "a common biological underpinning to the grief that animals -- horses, goats, rabbits, cats, dogs, elephants, chimpanzees, and people -- feel." What an exciting field for scientific research. Read More

While we're pretty good reading how dogs are feeling there's still room for improvement. Also read also about Fozzie and his new friend in need, scrawny stray Lars. And, once again, the Iditarod is in the news, this time because of the tragic and unnecessary death of one of its canine participants, Dorado, a "dropped dog", who could not be rescued because of bad weather. Read More

Killing coyotes doesn't work to reduce their purported damage to livestock and other animals yet some people love to kill them for fun. Utah's bounty on coyotes shows this to be true. To quote John Shivik, the mammal program coordinator for Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources who supports killing coyotes, “Is it going to work? We don’t know." So why do it? They enjoy it. Read More

We need more research to really know if dogs experience guilt, pride, and shame, so right now we should keep the door open to the possibility or likelihood they do. Since it's been claimed that other mammals with whom dogs share the same neural bases for emotions do experience guilt, pride, shame, and other complex emotions, there's no reason to assume dogs cannot. Read More

Nonhuman and human animals share many traits and hierarchical thinking and wanton abuse are wrong. Here I consider two essays, one published by Fox News called "Animal torture, abuse called a 'regular practice' within federal wildlife agency" and the other published in Hinduism Today called "Animals Have Souls and Feelings, Just Like We Do". Both will fire up your brain. Read More

Jane Goodall always has words of wisdom about almost everything. We all know her wonderful and long-term contributions to the study of chimpanzees and other animals, but few know that Dr. Goodall has now ventured into the world of plants. In this interview she reflects on a wide range of topics offering many important reflections on her life and on the state of the world. Read More