Watch the Sighting:
It was a crisp October day in Hayden Valley when Judy Lehmberg, a wildlife videographer, came across a sight that tugged on her heartstrings. A frost-covered bison carcass, distinguishable by its massive size, lay peacefully on the side of Yellowstone River.
Understanding that carcasses attract a host of wildlife, Judy decided to stick around and see what animals would seize the opportunity for an easy meal.
Scavengers Seize the Opportunity
In the earlier hours of the day, a few crows landed on the carcass to pick away the remains, but as the day warmed up and the frost melted, even more animals arrived on the scene. First, a pair of coyotes wandered down the riverbank, attracted by their keen sense of smell.
Next, an adult bald eagle landed on the carcass, followed by a juvenile a while later who was forced to fight off several hungry crows to get a piece of the meat. With every new animal arriving on the scene, Judy knew fortune was in her favour that day, but nothing could have prepared her for what happened next…
A Somber Gathering of Giants
A massive herd of bison appeared over the horizon and slowly began to make their way towards the carcass — was the bison who passed a previous member of the herd? As the bison grew nearer, the energy in the air began to shift as if a sadness had fallen over the scene.
Even the crows and coyotes abandoned the carcass to give the bison space. Eventually, the herd made it down to the water and began to take turns sniffing the carcass, seemingly acknowledging it as one of their own.
One after the other, the bison took turns paying their respects to their friend or family member who had passed just as humans would do at a funeral.
The Final Farewell
Judy recounted that she had heard stories of bison funerals but had only ever seen a single male mourning a female years ago. Now she was paying witness to over a hundred bison in mourning!
After several hours, the herd decided to move on. The last of the bison trotted away, except for one final member who stared sorrowfully at the carcass for a moment longer, painting a sombre scene before finally joining the rest of the herd.
Understanding the Grief of Animals
While it can be difficult to say whether animals mourn in the same sense as humans, there are many animals who display behaviours that suggest grieving once a companion or family member has passed away. Some species include elephants, dolphins, giraffes, some species of birds, primates and other mammals such as bison.
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In the context of bison, many cases have been both observed and documented of herds surrounding their dead, often for hours after at a time once a member passes. Additionally, they will protect the carcass from predators.
Bison are highly social animals that care for their vulnerable members, so it is not a far stretch to interpret this behaviour as either mourning or a form of respect.
Just like humans, animals have their own ways of acknowledging loss. Whether or not bison truly mourn, their actions remind us that the bonds of nature run deep, and perhaps, emotions are not exclusive to us alone.