Interview with Dr. Marc Bekoff: Exploring Compassionate Conservation and Animal Emotions

This article contains several key highlights of the interview. For the full interview, watch the entire podcast!

Introduction:

Today, we are honored to introduce Dr. Marc Bekoff, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado.

With over 30 published books and numerous awards for his research on animal behavior, animal ethics, and compassionate conservation, Dr. Bekoff’s contributions to the field are unparalleled. He has also collaborated closely with Dr. Jane Goodall and is a former Guggenheim Fellow. His seminal book, The Emotional Lives of Animals, has profoundly influenced our understanding of animal consciousness and emotions. We are thrilled to have him join us to discuss his remarkable work and insights into animal ethics.

Interview

Alexander: Welcome, Dr. Bekoff. It’s a pleasure to have you here.
Dr. Bekoff: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Alexander: Your work has been pivotal in expanding our understanding of animal emotions. Could you share a moment in your research that profoundly changed your perspective on animal consciousness?
Dr. Bekoff: There have been many moments, but one that stands out is from my childhood. Growing up in Brooklyn, I used to talk to all the dogs, cats, birds, and ants. I asked my parents what these animals were thinking and feeling, and they never laughed at me. They always encouraged my curiosity. This early experience guided me into a lifelong career of studying and caring for animals.

Alexander: It sounds like you had a supportive upbringing. How did your parents influence your perspective on animals?
Dr. Bekoff: Yes, my parents were very open-minded. My mother was empathetic, and my father was optimistic. They always told me I could do anything I wanted. This supportive environment allowed me to pursue my passion for understanding and caring for animals.

Alexander: Let’s talk about compassionate conservation. For our listeners who may be new to this concept, how would you define it, and why is it essential in today’s conservation efforts?
Dr. Bekoff: Compassionate conservation developed from the realization that when we step into the lives of wild animals, we are intruders. Traditional conservation often involves harming animals to study them. Compassionate conservation focuses on non-invasive methods, respecting the intrinsic value of every individual animal. The foundational tenets are “first do no harm” and recognizing that the lives of every individual matter.

Alexander: That’s a profound shift from traditional conservation methods. Can you share more about the practical applications of compassionate conservation?
Dr. Bekoff: It involves studying animals in non-invasive ways, avoiding trapping or marking them in harmful ways. This approach ensures that the data we collect are representative of their natural behaviors. In 2010, we held the first international conference on compassionate conservation at the University of Oxford, establishing these principles as foundational to the field.

Alexander: Throughout your career, have there been any particular animal encounters that reinforced or challenged your theories on animal emotions and ethics?
Dr. Bekoff: One memorable experience was studying coyotes in Grand Teton National Park. A female coyote disappeared, and we observed palpable changes in her family’s behavior, indicating they were grieving her absence. This and other observations of animal play and social interactions have shown that animals have rich emotional lives.

Alexander: Your collaborations with Jane Goodall and others have yielded rich discussions and progress. What has been the most surprising or enlightening aspect of working alongside such figures?
Dr. Bekoff: The commitment and relentless work ethic of individuals like Jane Goodall are always inspiring. They are highly motivated to improve the lives of animals and are constantly working to make a positive impact.

Alexander: As our conversation comes to a close, what is the one thought or message you’d like our listeners to pause and reflect on after today’s episode?
Dr. Bekoff: Realize that every individual can make a positive difference in human-animal interactions. Find something you are passionate about and pursue it with determination. Each of us can contribute to a better world for animals and the environment.

Alexander: It sounds like you had a good start growing up with a big heart. Let’s talk about compassionate conservation. For our listeners who may be new to this concept, how would you define it, and why is it essential in today’s conservation efforts?
Dr. Bekoff: Compassionate conservation really developed out of my work and the work of a few others, especially doing field research on animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and social ecology. By realizing that when you step into the life of wild animals, you’re really an intruder, you’re a trespasser. The first thing at a very general level is just being there can change their behavior. But when you start mucking around with them, trapping them, and marking them, especially using inhumane or harmful techniques, you’re not only harming the individual, but you’re studying stressed animals. The data you collect may not be representative of who these animals really are. In 2010, the inaugural conference on compassionate conservation was held at the University of Oxford, and the foundational directives are “first do no harm” and the lives of every individual matter.

Alexander: Would you say that compassionate conservation focuses more on the well-being of individual animals rather than just populations or species as a whole?
Dr. Bekoff: Yes, absolutely. Traditional conservation often plays the numbers game, but compassionate conservation emphasizes the well-being of every single individual. It’s not about how many animals are in a population, but about the quality of life for each animal. The goal is to ensure that animals live safe, pain-free lives.

Alexander: That’s a significant shift. Have you seen any pushback or criticism of compassionate conservation?
Dr. Bekoff: Yes, there are critics who argue that compassionate conservation doesn’t prioritize biodiversity or ecosystem health. However, this is a misconception. Compassionate conservation is deeply concerned with these issues but approaches them through the lens of individual animal welfare. The idea that you have to harm or kill some animals to save others is fundamentally flawed and ethically questionable.

Alexander: That’s very insightful. As we wrap up, what do you hope listeners take away from this conversation about compassionate conservation and the emotional lives of animals?
Dr. Bekoff: I hope listeners understand that each individual animal’s life matters and that we can study and conserve animals without causing them harm. Every person can make a positive difference by being mindful of the impact their actions have on animals and by advocating for humane treatment in all aspects of life.

Alexander: Thank you so much, Dr. Bekoff, for sharing your invaluable insights and experiences with us today. Your dedication to compassionate conservation and understanding animal emotions is truly inspiring. For our listeners, you can find more about Dr. Bekoff’s work on his homepage, marcbekoff.com, and check out his latest books, The Emotional Lives of Animals and the collaborative work celebrating Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, 90 Candles. We hope today’s discussion has provided you with a deeper understanding of the importance of compassionate conservation and the profound emotional lives of animals. Remember, each of us has the power to make a difference. Thank you for joining us, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.