When someone we love passes away, we feel sadness and grief. But humans aren’t the only creatures who experience these powerful emotions. Scientists have observed many animals displaying behaviors that suggest they mourn their dead, from holding vigils to refusing food. These touching moments reveal just how deep the emotional lives of animals can be.
While animal behavior research continues to evolve, the examples shared here are based on documented observations by scientists and wildlife experts. Interpretations of animal emotions remain a subject of ongoing study.
1. Elephants
Elephants are famous for their remarkable memory, but they’re also known for how they respond to death. When an elephant dies, the herd often gathers around the body, touching it gently with their trunks and standing in silence for hours.
They’ve even been seen returning to the bones of deceased family members years later. Some elephants appear visibly distressed, swaying back and forth or making low rumbling sounds that seem like expressions of sorrow.
2. Dolphins
Dolphins form incredibly tight bonds with their pod members, especially mothers and calves. When a dolphin calf dies, mothers have been observed carrying the body on their backs or pushing it along for days, refusing to let go.
This behaviour suggests a deep attachment and unwillingness to accept the loss. Other pod members sometimes accompany the grieving mother, offering what looks like social support during her difficult time.
3. Chimpanzees
Our closest living relatives show grief in ways that feel hauntingly familiar. Chimpanzees have been seen grooming their dead companions, sitting quietly beside them, and even refusing to eat after a loss.
Jane Goodall documented a young chimp named Flint who became so depressed after his mother’s death that he stopped eating and died weeks later. These observations reveal emotional depth that challenges how we think about animal consciousness.
4. Crows
Crows hold what researchers call funerals when one of their own dies. Large groups gather around the body, calling loudly and circling the area in what appears to be a ritual.
Scientists believe this behaviour serves both as mourning and as a learning opportunity, helping crows remember dangerous locations. The gatherings can last for hours, with dozens of birds participating in this sombre assembly that feels almost ceremonial.
5. Gorillas
Gorillas display profound emotional responses when group members die. Mothers have been observed carrying their deceased infants for days, gently cradling and grooming them as if they were still alive.
Other family members show signs of distress too, becoming quieter and less active. In one documented case, a gorilla troop sat in silence around their fallen leader for hours, a powerful testament to their capacity for grief and respect.
6. Orcas
Orcas, or killer whales, have incredibly strong family structures that last a lifetime. When a calf dies, mothers have been witnessed carrying the body for weeks, swimming hundreds of kilometres while supporting their lost baby.
In 2018, an orca named Tahlequah carried her dead calf for 17 days, captivating the world. This extraordinary display of maternal grief showed just how deeply these intelligent marine mammals feel loss and attachment.
7. Magpies
Magpies engage in surprisingly complex mourning rituals when a flock member dies. They’ve been observed placing grass and twigs next to the body, almost like leaving flowers at a grave.
Groups of magpies gather around their fallen companion, calling softly and standing guard for extended periods. Some researchers believe this behaviour shows not just intelligence but genuine emotional processing, challenging our assumptions about bird brains and feelings.
