Observing Wildlife is enjoyable, but why? - Podcast
Last year, on a walk along the South-West coastal path, my son and I stopped to watch seals for at
least an hour. Other people watched too, sitting on the grassy cliff and smiling as the seals swam,
sunbathed, called to each other and, well, just lived a seal’s life. Not everyone stayed as long as us,
but the tide was coming in and we wanted to watch the seals leave the rocks. It was such a joyful sight,
and yet not a lot happened. We were quite content to observe, chat, share when one moved, share
other sightings of seals in our lives. Our hearts were full of happiness, our bodies calm, and our minds
at rest.
At home we spend hours watching birds, insects, bees, butterflies as they flit, fly, and feed in our
garden and it feels good.
We spend a crazy amount of time kneeling at the edge of our pond, watching the wildlife within it.
When cycling our hearts soar with the buzzards and kites and we always comment on the birds we
see or hear like it’s something special and precious. A flock of goldfinches playing chase in and out of
hedgerows, a tiny wren scolding us for passing without asking, a merlin zipping by, a tiny bird of prey
with links to magical stories, my favourite kind. A large gathering of swans on the Somerset levels, we
estimated fifty, a gathering of small egrets following cattle in a field and finding out they were cattle
egrets who were making a comeback in this area of the UK after almost disappearing.
Many years ago, we went whale watching in Hawaii. I cannot describe the deep welling of awe and
wonder, the tears of upwelling wow that prickled my eyes, the opening of my senses, the pleasure I
gained from watching those incredible animals and later listening to them while swimming with
stunningly coloured fish above a beautiful reef.
Birdwatching has always been a popular pastime for humans, but during the covid crises the numbers
increased dramatically and remain at the highest number ever. I guess birds are the most common
wild animals we can watch easily, at no cost, in their natural habitat and in ones they have adapted to
such as our cities, towns, and gardens.
There are safaris, nature treks, urban night nature walks, seal colonies, island bird colonies, whale
watching boat trips, turtle rescue, reef diving, and more nature observation activities around the
world.
Many people set up nature or trail cameras in their gardens or local woodlands hoping to capture a
glimpse of a wild creature living its life.
Nature photographers and film makers spend huge amounts of money and time trying to capture the
secret lives of animals which share this world with us.
But why?
What is it about observing other animals in their natural environment that brings us humans such
pleasure?
There must be a reason for this need to observe or interact with other animals. But what is it?
There is evidence that humans have observed animals from the moment they could express
themselves in an artistic way. Cave drawings contain a vast diversity of animals, maybe to explain how
to hunt or find animals for food, maybe to show others where the dangerous animals were in the area,
or maybe they were trying to understand this innate fascination for observing other animals in the
only way they could.
Every human society has used animal imagery. Animal images are painted, carved, drawn, made as
toys, a pattern on a wallpaper, clothing, upholstery, cards. Animals are the main characters in many
stories for young children because authors know children are fascinated by other animals. Some
societies worship a specific animal, building temples and statutes. And some animals have been
domesticated so we can have them near us all the time.
Animals made our lives easier in so many ways until the industrial revolution, when machines and
technology pushed them aside, replaced them. It is interesting that we didn’t rid ourselves of animals
completely but consigned them to companion or sport level.
Studies have shown over and over that an animal companion reduces stress in humans, that caring
for or stroking a pet increases the happy hormones and chemicals in our bodies. That’s why so many
people have tamed animals in their lives, because it makes us feel good, but this doesn’t answer why
observing wildlife has the same effect.
Scientists know it happens, this release of chemicals, this reducing of stress hormones, but they don’t
know why.
And why are the pleasure and wellbeing chemicals released at a higher dosage when I watch wild
animals in their natural environment rather than when I see a domesticated animal or one in a zoo?
What is the evolutionary point of encouraging humans to enjoy seeing other animals in the wild? For
everything has a purpose, a reason for happening, a future evolutionary need. We hear about studies
of how certain animals have evolved to a changed environment or situation, maybe it is time to study
this innate reaction in humans.
This could be an important one for us to examine. What are we supposed to be learning from
observing wild animals?
Do we recognise the connection between us, and feel part of something bigger than ourselves? Do we
crave their freedom, a simpler life? Do we see our lofty ideas on the meaning of life torn down to the
basics of being born, surviving to adulthood, mating, breeding, dying?
Are we awed by their abilities? Many superhuman stories contain characters with animal traits.
Is evolution encouraging us to observe so we begin to understand animal traits and improve our lives
by copying their skills, such as flight, speed, regeneration of limbs?
Is evolution sending us a message on how we are dependent on other animals for survival? Accurate
observation for cave men meant easier and more successful hunts for food, but for modern man?
Is our modern concern and almost worship of bees because instinctively we know we rely on bees and
many other pollinators for our food?
Are the pleasure and wellbeing chemicals released as a survival instinct in humans, for without the
diversity of wildlife the earth will not sustain human life?
Are we humans evolving through these pleasure chemicals. Is modern human in its technological
world stopping and observing, re-learning how everything is connected, how we are not the rulers or
owners of earth but one part of a shared ecosystem?
I hope so, for it ensures we will look after our fellow creatures, their habitats, their food needs, maybe
even put their needs before our own, although ultimately, if we help them, we help ourselves.
Whatever the reason is, I plan on making the most of the chemicals which bring happiness and less
stress into my life, to grasp every opportunity to sit quietly and observe, understand, learnt how to
support wildlife around me, and I hope you do too.
Thank you for reading my Blog, you can find more about me here...
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