[Book Sip] 10 Symbiotic Methods of Wild Animals

Some sentences encapsulate the entire content of the book itself, while others instantly reach the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. We introduce such meaningful sentences excerpted from the book. - Editor's note

Globally renowned behavioral ecologist and elephant expert Caitlin O'Connell has observed and studied numerous animals over the past 30 years, including elephants, monkeys, zebras, rhinoceroses, lions, whales, and flamingos. In the book, she traces the origins and nature of humans back to wild animals and explores the fundamental instincts and desires of humans through them. That instinct is none other than 'forming relationships.' By examining ten ritual behaviors of wild animals?greeting, grouping, courtship, gifting, vocalizing, silence, play, mourning, recovery, and travel?she identifies how humans and nature are connected and offers brilliant insights necessary for building more vibrant communities.

Since the birth of humanity, wild animals have continuously stimulated human imagination. As I observe them, I am amazed every day by how much I learn about ourselves. Watching elephants greet each other politely or unite to save a calf makes me reconsider how similar animal societies are to human societies. Who wouldn't be moved by the tenderness of a young elephant chewing food to feed an old elephant who has lost all its teeth? Doesn't it remind you of how humans care for the elderly? --- p.23

Rituals are often regarded solely as religious ceremonies. However, rituals broadly transcend the boundaries of religion, worship, and spiritual customs. Any specific actions repeated frequently according to precise procedures are rituals. Sequential actions can also be considered rituals. Rituals can be as simple as daily practice of yoga sun salutations or as complex as playing Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 on the violin every Friday evening at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Ordinary behaviors, like chimpanzees throwing stones, become rituals when imbued with meaning. Each action alone may not hold meaning, but together they gain significance. --- p.27

Conversations with strangers are adaptive behaviors that have evolved since the birth of humanity. It is advantageous for survival to leave groups with similar genes and find mates in unfamiliar places. Our social skills allow us to communicate even with people outside our closest groups, and this, as it turns out, is a survival skill. --- p.59

Elephants Also Attend Funerals | Written by Caitlin O'Connell | Translated by Lee Seonju | Hyundae Jiseong | 360 pages | 18,000 KRW

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