Understanding Death: Insights from Orcas and Ants

In her book "Playing Possum," philosopher Susana Monsó examines the complex relationships between animals and death, showcasing examples like the grieving orca Tahlequah and challenging the notion that humans uniquely understand mortality.

In the summer of 2018, a poignant event unfolded off the coast of British Columbia when an orca named Tahlequah gave birth, only to face the tragedy of her calf dying shortly after. In a display of deep maternal instinct, Tahlequah refused to part with her deceased offspring, carrying its lifeless body for over two weeks, balancing it on her nose while swimming. This act resonated with many people, capturing their imaginations and highlighting the emotional depth of animal behaviors.

Dr. Susana Monsó, a philosopher specializing in animal cognition at the National Distance Education University in Madrid, finds such behaviors profoundly significant. She explains that Tahlequah's actions reflect a universal aspect of grief that transcends species. “This idea of a mother clinging to the corpse of her baby,” Dr. Monsó remarked, “is something we can understand, especially for those who have experienced loss.”

While acknowledging the dangers of anthropomorphism—the erroneous attribution of human traits to non-human entities—Dr. Monsó urges a nuanced understanding of how different species might comprehend death. In her recently published book, "Playing Possum," she argues that numerous animals possess at least a basic awareness of death, challenging the prevalent belief that the cognitive and emotional understanding of mortality is exclusive to humans.

The exploration of these themes raises essential questions about the emotional lives of animals and the complexity of their interactions with the concept of death. Through Monsó's insights, we gain a richer understanding of both human and animal experiences, fostering empathy and reflection on the nature of existence itself. Dr. Monsó's work encourages readers to think critically about the connections between species and the ways that grief unites us all across the animal kingdom.