Animals often make selfish decisions to survive, but there are good deeds throughout the animal kingdom
Words Victoria Williams
Kindness in animals is something that has been debated for a long time, and the argument isn’t likely to be settled any time soon. ‘Altruism’ is used to describe behaviour that decreases the fitness of an individual but benefits another. While this isn’t uncommon, there are often ulterior motives when animals act kindly towards another.
Animals are most likely to behave altruistically when they stand to reap the benefits in the future. This is most common with kin, because keeping relatives alive or allowing them to produce offspring continues the family genes into the next generation.
Another motive for lending a hand is one common in our own species – expecting to receive something back in return. This tactic is known as ‘tit for tat’, and it’s an important feature of many social systems. Animals form relationships of different strengths based on their history together, and they’re often more inclined to behave ‘kindly’ to those animals who have done the same to them in the past.
While altruism can often be explained by animals playing the long game and secretly behaving in their own interest, there are examples of animal behaviour that really do seem genuinely kind. We may never know the true thought processes behind these actions, but, in a world of ruthlessness and selfish survival instincts, the stories are heart warming.
Humpback whales come to the rescue
HUMPBACK WHALE
Megaptera novaeangliae
Class Mammalia
Territory All major oceans
Diet Krill, copepods and fish including mackerel, salmon, haddock and herring
Lifespan Up to 50 years
Adult weight 40 tons
Conservation Status
LEAST CONCERN
Female humpback whales will defend their calves from attackers, but they’ll also protect other calves in the pod. This system of reciprocity makes sense; if every adult in the group looks out for every calf, each mother stands a better chance of keeping her offspring safe.
What has baffled researchers is the fact that there have been multiple reports of humpback whales intervening when other species are being attacked by orcas. They seemingly stand to gain little from putting themselves in harm’s way to help these animals, so altruism can’t yet be ruled out as a motive.
Birds help out at home
SULAWESi TAriCTiC HornBiLL
Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus
Class Aves
Territory Indonesia
Diet Fruit, insects, small mammals
Lifespan Unknown
Adult weight Unknown
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Raising kids is no easy task, and parents often welcome a bit of extra help. This pair of Sulawesi tarictic hornbills has a full-time helper to lend a hand with childcare, fetching food to meet the needs of the growing chicks.
Cooperative breeding occurs in a number of bird species – helpers are often offspring of the breeding pair
