Mirror, mirror; Self-awareness in Bottlenose dolphins

The profound social structure and problem-solving abilities of several species of primates has allowed the Great Ape project to make an overwhelming case for the claim that these animals can be considered as non-human persons. While there are undeniable parallels to man seen in several species such as Bonobos, Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas with whom we also share evolutionary history, we somehow tend to overlook the beings who present an even stronger case for personhood than the great apes. Cetaceans, particularly dolphins, have stunned researchers in the last decades with their language, learning skills, complex social behaviour and their incredible brain.

Two giants in the science of dolphin behaviour, Dr. Denise Herzing and Dr. Thomas I. White, published a paper discussing the question of considering dolphins as non-human persons. In order to make their case, Herzing and White debate the different criteria that define personhood in living beings. Despite our definition of personhood being quite subjective and wildly discussed, there are several traits that are agreed upon by both philosophers and scientists alike. One of these is that a person is self-aware, that is, they acknowledge their own existence and that it is separate to that of other living creatures. This abstract trait has become the centre of behavioural research with so many different animals and is often measured in a creatures capacity for mirror self-recognition (MSR). Here scientists observe an organisms reaction to its reflection in a mirror and whether it perceives it as its own reflection or as another animal.

Dr. Lori Marino, a renowned neuroscientist, developed one of these MSR tests to test the possibility of self-awareness in Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Here Marino separately tested the reaction of two Bottlenose dolphins to mirrors in their enclosure. Before exposing them to the mirrors, Marino had the animals marked or “sham-marked” and observed whether the animals would investigate the parts of their bodies that are marked. The findings proved that the dolphins used the mirror to check their markings and therefore Marino presented the first convincing evidence that a non/primate species is capable of MSR. Follow-up experiments have even shown that MSR occurs earlier in dolphin calves than it does in human babies.

Acknowledging this abstract characteristic in dolphins was ground-breaking but could actually be expected after the discovery of  “signature whistles” around 50 years ago. These whistles are unique for every individual dolphin and are apparently used for locational purposes amongst the animals in the wild. For an individual to be summoned by another individual, it has to possess some form of self-awareness.

Understanding the sophisticated nature of dolphins does something to us human beings which we don’t particularly like; it challenges our self-declared status as the apex of all living creatures on the planet. The somewhat arrogant and outdated assumption that we are dominant to other animals also makes it quite hard for us to make behavioural observations that aren’t subjective, particularly when it comes to intelligent creatures like dolphins. Despite the irrefutable evidence respected scientists have presented on cetaceans, our engrained sense of superiority above all other creatures on this planet still prompts us to create a hierarchy of intelligence which we dominate. If this way of thinking persists, dolphins will continue to be vulnerable to human actions.

In a nutshell, we should respect other living creatures whether we consider them intelligent or not. The work of scientists such as Marino, White and Herzing are important because they allow us to gain the firm philosophical basis to further question the actually morality of our actions. Perhaps   the sentiment of recognising other living creatures as “equals” will help us respect them and improve our overall approach to the natural world.

by Paula Thake