Penguin Watch Talk

Any emotional attachment to dead chicks?

  • AvastMH by AvastMH moderator

    We've had interesting times with the dead chick on this site. Do we know if penguins show any sense of loss when their chicks die, please?

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  • wildmonster by wildmonster

    While we wait for answers from the scientists with a wealth of knowledge about the lives and inner workings of penguins, I was curious about loss and mourning in animals in general. I found a 2013 book called "How Animals Grieve" - here's a short ("non-scientific") review:
    https://sciencetrio.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/review-how-animals-grieve-by-barbara-j-king/

    Also an article that cites a few scientific studies :
    http://animalwise.org/2011/09/12/grief-in-animals/

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  • AvastMH by AvastMH moderator

    Very interesting - thanks so much for those Wildmonster! I had two gerbils, when one died the other was grief stricken and hunted and hunted for her sister for weeks. 😦

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  • coldcounter by coldcounter

    Perhaps this is to simple a thought .... our pets genuinely grieve (go off their food, mope, become sullen) when a loving owner leaves or dies ..... Would they not have a similar feeling for their own "family"..

    Simple, I know, but .....

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