Animal Suicide: Can animals consciously end their lives?

There have been reported cases of animals enigmatically ending their lives against every notion of their survival instinct. Yet self-destructive behaviours in the animal kingdom are a complex conundrum. Do animals have suicidal thoughts? How can we explore this issue further?

There is a heart-breaking and equally confounding scene in Werner Herzog’s documentary Encounters at the End of the World. As a documentary that focuses on the harshness and cruelty of animal life in the Antarctic, at one stage, a colony of penguins begin to migrate in search of food. One particular penguin, however, determinedly decides to walk into the wilderness of the icy desert, away from any water, feeding or breeding grounds, into what is certain doom. With penguins being renowned for their sharp orientation, it is unlikely that this penguin was disoriented. As animals known to grieve and mourn, there is a chance that the penguin sought to disappear.

The case of the penguin in the desert is not the only reported example of animal suicide. For example, dolphins and whales have also shown similar traits. Kathy, one of the dolphins who played Flipper in the 1960s show, reportedly killed herself by swimming to the bottom of her tank at the Miami Seaquarium, where she had been isolated for the past three years, and refusing to resurface. She drowned.

Similarly, Orcas and dolphins have been reported to bang their heads in their pools in distress. Again, at the Miami Seaquarium, Hugo, a male killer whale, died from a brain aneurism after banging his head repeatedly.

While mysterious animal behaviour continues to intrigue us, the concept of animal suicides straddles the boundary between scientific scrutiny and myth.

What can possess, for example, a dog to deliberately attempt to drown itself, succeeding in doing so, even when tied, by sticking its head in the water?

The idea that animals can choose to end their own lives can be deemed controversial and up for debate. For many detractors, the idea that animals can commit suicide is dismissed as anthropomorphism, a growing attribution of human qualities to something non-human. This can also be considered as Disneyfication. Under this idea, just because the animal was sad, grieving or in distress didn’t mean it chose to kill itself. The penguin surely didn’t know that heading to the abyss would lead to its death.

Stories and anecdotes of animals taking their own lives have woven their way into our collective consciousness. Sometimes, these stories have been falsely attributed, such as the myth that lemmings intentionally kill themselves in a mass suicide. However, we must ask ourselves if animals genuinely possess the capacity for self-destruction. Can they choose to die instead of living? Or are we misinterpreting their behaviour in an act of anthropomorphism and projection?

The need to Understand Animal Behaviour

The basics of understanding the concept of suicidal behaviour in animals lie in the comprehension of animal behaviour. Animals, like humans, are driven by a complex interplay of instincts, emotions, and environmental influences. In some cases, animal groups are also influenced by internal cultural traits that are interwoven and exclusive to their packs.

While we may never fully grasp the depths of their consciousness, the more we study animal behaviour, the more we develop remarkable insights into their motivations and actions.

So, why do animals do what they do? This is the backdrop for many naturalists, scientists and animal lovers who want to delve into animal behaviour. Understanding this behaviour is not just an academic pursuit. It is the key to harmoniously co-existing with all the diverse species we have on our planet.

This understanding can influence our conservation efforts, animal welfare practices, our interactions with pets and wildlife and our efforts to combat zoonotic diseases.

The Animal Instinct: Do emotions come into play?

Zebras tend to choose flight over fight after initially freezing when threatened

Emotions and instincts are two forces that can shape animal behaviour. Emotions like fear, joy, and grief are not exclusive to humans. Many animals display emotional and physical responses to their surroundings and experiences, often in the tone of initial freeze and then fight or flight. These hardwired behaviour patterns are encoded in an animal’s genetic makeup and drive actions such as migration, survival, reproduction and hunting.

Where do self-destructive behaviours emerge in animals?

While self-destructive behaviours in animals may seem contrary to the instinct for self-preservation, they are not entirely unheard of. As mentioned earlier, some animals, like orcas, dolphins, or penguins, have been observed engaging in actions that appear to harm themselves or lead to their demise.

However, attributing intentionality to these actions can be complex and requires a nuanced exploration of the context and circumstances in which each happening occurs.

Myths and realities behind reported cases of animal suicide

There are numerous accounts of animals exhibiting behaviours that, at first glance, may appear to be deliberate acts of self-destruction. The more they are told, the more awareness is raised of the need to care for animal mental health. Whether it is the false accounts of lemmings leaping off cliffs, more accurate portrayals of dogs grieving to death, or whales beaching themselves in unison, these narratives are usually told with an air of tragedy that leaves us pondering the motivations behind these acts.

However, there can be challenges in the interpretation of these actions. The anthropomorphic tendency to attribute human emotions and motivations to animals can cloud our understanding. We must recognise that an animal perceives the world differently from a human being. Their senses, instincts, communication habits and learning habits are all different and unique not only with people but also among each animal.

Many actions that we consider to be nurtured by emotions or our “gut feelings” may be driven by instincts and survival strategies that are far removed from our own experiences.

Science often plays the role of the sceptic when analysing animal suicide

Scientific scrutiny has long been the cornerstone of understanding the natural world. When confronted with accounts of animal suicides, scientists often employ investigation to discern fact from fiction.

These studies can often reveal explanations for observed behaviours, ranging from natural phenomena to underlying heath conditions.

For example, animals can have instinctual responses to unusual circumstances. Animals facing extreme stress or illness may exhibit abnormal behaviours that could be interpreted as self-destructive. Animals can choose to be self-destructive in specific cases. However, it is unsure whether they understand that this destructive behaviour means the end of their existence.

Here is an example: Lizards and anthropoids have the ability to shed parts of their body, such as a limb, as a defence mechanism to serve as a distraction for predators. Many insects, when threatened, exhibit a behaviour known as thanatosis, where they appear to play dead, as do possums. Birds like the killdeer are known to feign injury, limping or dragging a wing as if it is broken when potential threats approach their nest. Sea cucumbers expel their internal organs as a defence mechanism to deter predators and eventually regenerate their organs.

The social aspect behind animal self-destruction

While discussions around animal suicides often revolve around self-destructive behaviours, it is equally important to explore another dimension of animal actions and relations, particularly in social species. Some animals, driven by complex social structures and instincts, exhibit behaviours that, on the surface, may appear self-sacrificial. In these cases, individuals may put themselves in harm’s way for the benefit of the larger group. The underlying reasons they may be harming themselves may be undetected by human supervision. However, the actions may illustrate a profound interplay of self-preservation and communal survival.

There may be different dynamics behind social animals

Social animals, including certain insects, birds and mammals, live in cooperative communities where mutual support is essential for survival. These groups of highly bonded animals often have hierarchies, division of labour, and intricate communication systems.

Honeybee workers have a clear division of labour. Some bees work as guards and protect their hive from threats. When a threat is detected, these guard bees may sting the intruder, probably knowing they will not survive the encounter.

Meerkats are known for their tight-knit social groups. These mammals assign individuals on sentry duty. If a meerkat sees a predator nearby, it will sound the alarm to warn the group, even if it means attracting the predator’s attention and risking its own safety.

African wild dogs and other pack animals like elephants often feed the young, sick or injured members. These altruistic actions contribute to the survival of the pack, even when exposing the caregiver to potential predators or food scarcity.

These self-sacrificial behaviours in social animals can be understood through kin selection and inclusive fitness. Animals may share genes with their relatives, and by aiding their survival and the group’s survival, they indirectly pass on their genetic material. This indirect genetic benefit can drive behaviours that may initially appear self-destructive but actually contribute to the propagation of shared genes.

Are there ethical and conservational implications when addressing Animal Suicide?

The exploration of animal suicide and self-destructive behaviour in animals raises not only scientific questions but also ethical and conservational ones. Our understanding of these behaviours can have far-reaching implications for our treatment of animals, the preservation of species and our responsibility in safeguarding the natural world.

Ethical issues

When addressing the ethical issues surrounding the approach to animal self-harm, there are several issues that need to be considered. These include analysing the debate between anthropocentrism vs. biocentrism. Studying animal suicides pushes us to confront our anthropocentric biases and our tendency to prioritise human interests and emotions over those of animals. By adopting a biocentric perspective, we can respect the intrinsic value of all life forms and promote ethical treatment and conservation efforts.

Another point of debate hinges on animal welfare vs. sentience. By recognising the potential for emotional experiences and distress in animals, we are challenged to consider their welfare. Ethical questions arise regarding the treatment of animals in captivity and other contexts where human activities impact animal lives.

Conservational issues

Understanding the behaviours of animals at risk of extinction is crucial for conservation efforts. Some behaviours, such as self-induced self-destructive actions in captive animals, can threaten the survival of endangered species. This highlights the importance of providing appropriate environments and conservation programmes. Similarly, the actions of one species can have cascading effects on entire ecosystems. We must recognise the interconnectivity of species and their behaviours to gain a deeper appreciation for the role each plays in maintaining ecosystem health.

We still have a way to go in understanding behaviour, but steps can already be taken to help

All this theorisation may be good to know, but the question still remains: So, what could have happened to the penguin and the orcas detailed in the introduction?

The behaviour of the penguin wandering into the wilderness or the killer whales that engaged in repetitive head-banging, as with any other case of suspected animal suicide, is puzzling but, most importantly, raises concerns about animal welfare. Different facts could contribute to their apparent self-destructive behaviour.

Orcas in captivity often exhibit repetitive behaviours such as head-banging due to extreme stress and boredom associated with confinement in tanks. Killer whales are highly sociable animals, and the tedium of confinement and social isolation can lead to them manifesting their frustration and psychological distress. As they are confined to small tanks, they witness a drastic limit to their natural behaviours. Often, orcas are not naturally programmed to cope with such a lack of stimuli.

For the penguin, while it is unlikely that it was disorientated, it could well have been stressed or suffering from health issues, causing it to flee from the colony. Changing environmental conditions can also alter food availability, leading to disorientation or unexpected behaviour in animals. Nonetheless, the penguin’s actions were undoubtedly perplexing and hard to explain. As with many issues, when humans are unable to find an answer, they tend to fill the gaps with concepts that we understand and empathise with. In this case, depression and suicide, which is a very human trait, seem to fill in the gaps.

This does not mean that the possibility of animal suicide is off the cards. Animals have different behavioural traits, but many are highly intelligent, socially interwoven creatures that have shown the ability to connect in mutualism between different species, participate in cultural fads, and have shown to express grief, empathy, and even revenge. Why can't they also share this darker aspect of existence with humans or suffer from mental illness?

Further research is needed to understand animal psychology

There is still room for studies to comprehend more about the psychology of different animal groups. However, initial steps should already be taken to address the circumstances leading to some of these self-destructive habits. Understanding these behaviours requires careful observation, analysis and often intervention to mitigate underlying causes.

While we have made significant strides in understanding certain aspects of animal behaviour, there is a compelling need for further research. The sheer diversity of life on Earth presents us with a vast array of behaviours, some of which may appear enigmatic. Understanding these behaviours requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines biology, psychology, ecology and ethics.

How can we advance our knowledge?

By deepening our understanding of animal cognition and emotional experiences, we can assess the link between self-destructive behaviour and emotional distress, or complex thought processes.

Behavioural ecology can also step into the fray by studying animal behaviour within their ecosystems and comparing it when they are taken away from their natural habitat. Other factors such as environmental alterations, resource availability, and social dynamics can also contribute to influencing animal behaviour.

Finally, ethical guidelines must also be set for studying animal behaviour and welfare so that researchers prioritise the well-being of animals in their studies and minimise stress and harm.

There are several benefits to focusing on extended research into animal behaviour, such as:

Improved animal welfare: Advancements in our understanding of animal behaviour can inform better practices in animal welfare, both in captivity and in the wild. Researchers, scientists and conservationists will be able to better identify and address stressors and behaviours that impact the well-being of animals.
Better conservation efforts: Enhanced knowledge of animal behaviour is vital for the conservation of endangered species and in developing more effective strategies for their protection.
Human-animal connections: Understanding the behaviour of animals can help foster a deeper connection between humans and the natural world. This can promote empathy and encourage responsible stewardship of our planet.

Technology, collaboration and long-term investment can help

There are several avenues to take to enhance research into behavioural traits in animals, including animal suicides. The key roadmaps to take are:

Leveraging technological advancements

Continued development of advanced tracking devices, remote monitoring techniques, AI technologies, and non-invasive research methods will allow scientists to gather more data on animal behaviour without undue interference.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Collaboration among scientists and organisations from various fields, including biologists, psychologists, veterinarians and ecologists, can provide a holistic understanding of animal behaviour.

Long-term Studies

Longitudinal studies that track animal behaviour over extended periods are valuable for revealing patterns and changes over time. Particularly as many mammals have extensive lifespans and hereditary traits.

In conclusion, the mystery surrounding animal suicides and self-destructive behaviours is a further testament to the complexity of the animal kingdom. Each species itself is unique in its behaviour, and yet, the same way we are quick to discard that animals are capable of participating in an act that we consider to be reserved to human intelligence, we may often indulge in our own self-importance as a species in thinking that highly intelligent animals, often capable of remarkable feats and cruelty, are not capable of having suicidal thoughts or to question and decide on their own existence as we are.

The need for further research is palpable, not only for scientific advancement but also for ethical considerations, conservation efforts and our collective connection to nature. Only through this ongoing curiosity, empathy and inquiry can we deepen our connections and understanding of animal sentience and behaviour, and can we intervene when cases of harm are directly or indirectly caused by humans to ensure that animals also live in good conditions in the world they share with us.