As highly social animals, chimpanzees form deep and lasting bonds, the sudden rending of which by death — or in this case, forced separation — can be felt as nothing short of devastating. Far from being unfeeling animals, chimpanzees have demonstrated a remarkable depth of emotion, responding to the loss of loved ones much in the same way that humans do.
"Grieving and mourning clearly show that nonhuman animals are socially aware of what is happening in their worlds and that they feel deep emotions when family and friends die," writes evolutionary biologist, Marc Bekoff, in Psychology Today. "Clearly we're not the only animals who possess the cognitive and emotional capacities for suffering the loss of others."
Chimpanzees who have lost a companion have been known to suffer from symptoms of depression — and, as Bekoff notes, in at least one case resulted in what appeared to be death by broken heart.
Kamal Sharma, from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, tells the Times he fears that could happen again if Jayson and Nikita are parted:
"Since chimps are intelligent and sensitive like humans, a permanent separation will give them trauma. Besides, depression can be fatal for the pair."
Animal welfare activists are hoping that the zoo will reconsider separating the bonded chimpanzees, suggesting that another male be introduced on a limited basis at the Lucknow Zoo instead. But the transfer of animals away from their companions and familiar environs is par for the course for zoos aiming to breed their captives, even if it comes at the expense of their well-being.
Despite the similarities humans share with other primates commonly held in captivity, zoos are under no obligation to put the feelings of animals ahead of a business agenda. But how these animals are regarded in society could soon change."
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