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Nature: Animal Minds (2003)
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Discover What Animals Think & Feel in This Two-Part Special
Are Animals Intelligent?
Is animal intelligence all in our minds? We all think we've seen intelligence in the actions of our pets and favorite animals. But is it real and does it go beyond the simple learning behavior of trial and error? Seeking to answer those questions, scientists test and observe a variety of animals - both in the lab and in the wild - and reach some amazing, if still controversial conclusions. They show us birds that make cognitive maps to find their widely dispersed caches of food; chimps that use tools and creative insight to solve problems; parrots that can add and subtract and identify color and texture. Why do these animals act smarter than say, lizards or snakes? Because they come from complex social worlds that demand greater intelligence to survive - another thought-provoking idea from this smartly entertaining program.
Do Animals Have Emotion? Animal Consciousness
The second part of this intriguing series delves even further into the mysteries of the animal mind. Can animals feel - and do they experience emotions the same way humans do? Are animals aware of themselves and those around them? And, more profoundly, do they know they're going to die? Studying animals in the wild, and testing their physiological and chemical responses in the lab, scientists discover what seems to be a range of emotions - including jealousy in birds, lovesickness in sheep, and stress-induced sadness in male baboons. Later, a study of commuting bees suggests that they create mental pictures of their surroundings, which is strong evidence of consciousness. But what are we to make of the gorilla who strokes - and stands guard over - a stricken little boy? Is the ape showing consciousness and emotional concern? This remarkable program moves us to endless wonder about the nature of animals.
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