Animal Emotions

There is no doubt that many animals experience rich and deep emotions. It's not a matter of if emotions have evolved in animals but why they have evolved as they have. We must never forget that our emotions are the gifts of our ancestors, our animal kin. We have feelings and so do other animals. Among the different emotions that animals display clearly and unambiguously is grief Read More

We surely can do better in our interactions with other individuals of species who care about what happens to them.  Read More

For ten years I've been teaching animal behavior and conservation biology at the Boulder (Colorado) County Jail as part if Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program. Everyone is pleasantly surprised at how science and humane education connect the inmates to various aspects of nature and that many find it easier to connect with animals than with people. Science and humane education have helped the inmates connect with values that they otherwise wouldn't have done. Science opens the door to understanding, trust, cooperation, community, and hope. The picture of Fifi (one of Jane Goodalll's favorite chimpanzees) accompanying this essay was drawn by Jeff, one of my students.  Read More

If one doubts that animals have deep feelings consider what they endure as they become unnecessary clothing. It's easy to say that animals used for fur (and leather) don't like how they're treated. As sentient mammals they have deep and enduring feelings just like our favorite companion animals, dogs and cats. And we would never subject our companions to the reprehensible treatment to which fur-farmed animals are subjected. Read More