How Whales Can Teach Us to Be Better Humans

For the last 23 years, I’ve traveled around the world as a wildlife photographer and photojournalist. The pandemic ground all that to a halt. Like most of us, I was home for more than a year. In that time, I reflected on what I’ve learned during those two-plus decades of non-stop travel. My last trip, which ended in March 2020, was part of a three-year project photographing whales that focused on their culture and behaviors. I came away with a striking observation. Genetically identical species of whales behave differently depending on where they live—much like humans. They form clans with unique dialects or languages. They develop cultural food preferences. They showcase special parenting techniques. They even hold singing competitions. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] More importantly, they pass on these ancestral traditions to their calves. Not only are they teaching their children survival skills—they’re passing on their culture. I also saw these sentient, highly intelligent animals display other typically human behaviors. They have personalities and celebrate their identity. Some whale species give their calves names and greet each other when they meet. They show love, empathy, and grief. Family is immensely important to them. Within orca families, individuals live nearly five times longer if grandmothers are present. Take sperm whales. These animals are shy and gentle—quite counter to their popular portrayal in Herman Melv...
Source: TIME: Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news