Chimps Understanding Of The End Of Life Way Better Than The Pro-Deathers

Well at least the pro-deathers haven’t got to the chimps yet (stay tuned). In this report it looks like chimp behavior around the dying involves care, attention, close company, comfort, and affection – none of which are any part of assisted suicide. If you don’t believe me, go to YouTube and you’ll see what a ghastly experience assisted suicide is – and not only for the deceased.

Chimps Confront Death in Human-Like Ways

Chimpanzees confront death in human-like ways, including attempting resuscitation. The animals'awareness of death is probably more developed than previously thought. Researchers suggest chimpanzees be allowed to die naturally in their groups to permit final goodbyes.

From holding deathbed vigils to comforting the dying, chimpanzees face death in human-like ways that indicate their awareness of death is probably much more developed than previously thought, suggest two new studies.

The papers, both published in the journal Current Biology, provide rare, intimate glimpses of chimpanzees dealing with death.

For the first study, scientists observed how three adult chimpanzees reacted when an elderly female, named Pansy, gradually passed away in an indoor enclosure at Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling, Scotland. The over 50-year-old Pansy had grown increasingly lethargic before lying down on the floor one day after eating. more