Dr. Marc Bekoff Unveils "Love in Their Hearts," Championing Animal Emotions and Compassionate Action

BOULDER, CO – Dr. Marc Bekoff, a distinguished professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, continues to shape the discourse on animal cognition and welfare with his latest publication, Love in Their Hearts: A Celebration of Animal Emotions and A Guide to Compassionate Action. Co-authored with Jeff Campbell, the book targets a teenage audience, yet resonates broadly, offering a compelling blend of scientific insight and poignant narratives to foster empathy and inspire activism among young readers and adults alike. Bekoff’s work, which spans over three decades, consistently challenges conventional scientific paradigms, advocating for the recognition of animals as sentient, emotional beings, and his new book is a testament to this enduring mission.

The Genesis of a Groundbreaking Book for Young Minds

Love in Their Hearts emerges not as a simplified adaptation but as a distinct exploration of animal emotions, building upon the foundational concepts Bekoff introduced in his acclaimed The Emotional Lives of Animals, first published in 2007 and recently updated in its second edition. Bekoff conceptualized this new book during the revision process of the latter, aiming to create a resource specifically tailored for younger generations. Collaborating with Jeff Campbell, his long-time copy editor and an experienced writer for audiences including Lonely Planet, ensured the book’s accessibility and engaging narrative style.

Bekoff emphasizes that Love in Their Hearts is a "completely different book," distinguished by a greater number of stories, interactive activities designed for youngsters, and a more personal reflection on his own "nonlinear" journey into ethology. Despite its target demographic, the book has garnered significant praise from parents, teachers, and other adults, affirming its universal appeal. It meticulously explains complex scientific concepts, such as ethology, anthropomorphism, and anthropocentrism, through relatable examples and dedicated sidebars, ensuring scientific rigor without sacrificing readability. To further support its educational mission, Bekoff and Campbell have developed a comprehensive Educator’s Kit, an online resource complete with pertinent readings and practical guidance for young citizen scientists.

A Tapestry of Stories and Scientific Revelation

The book’s power lies in its masterful integration of compelling stories with robust scientific principles, a pedagogical approach that has become a hallmark of Bekoff’s work. This methodology, lauded by his co-hosts Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson, makes complex scientific ideas accessible and memorable. Among the many narratives, two particularly stand out: the heartwarming account of Jethro, Bekoff’s rescued dog, and the poignant story of Grizzly 399, a global icon of the Grand Teton National Park.

Jethro, a 90-pound Doberman-Shepherd-hound hybrid, initially appeared to be a typical predator when he presented Bekoff with a "ball of fur." To Bekoff’s surprise, it was a baby bunny, which Jethro had seemingly rescued. Jethro’s subsequent protective behavior—guarding the bunny’s box for weeks, refusing to leave its side, and later, performing a "canine goodbye" when the bunny was released—underscored his profound capacity for cross-species empathy and paternal care. This incident, later replicated with a baby bird, serves as a powerful testament to the emotional depth and compassionate instincts often observed in animals, challenging anthropocentric views that reserve such complex feelings exclusively for humans.

Another captivating narrative features Grizzly 399, a revered mother bear from Grand Teton National Park, whose life and offspring were extensively documented by world-renowned photographer Tom Mangelsen. Mangelsen, a close friend of Bekoff, contributed an autobiographical piece from 399’s perspective for the book, accompanied by his stunning photography, including the back cover image of 399 and her four cubs. Grizzly 399 became a global phenomenon, drawing visitors worldwide, highlighting the intense human-animal bonds that can form even with wild animals. Her story, though ending sadly with a fatal car accident, underscores the beauty of interspecies connection and the challenges of coexistence between humans and wildlife, particularly in popular national parks where animal sightings can lead to traffic congestion and management dilemmas. These stories, among others, aim to inspire young readers towards careers in wildlife photography, science, and conservation, showcasing real-world examples of dedication and empathy.

From Brooklyn to Boulder: Dr. Bekoff’s Unconventional Path to Ethology

Dr. Bekoff’s own journey into the scientific study of animal behavior is far from the conventional image of a "swotty" or overly studious academic. Born in Brooklyn, New York, his early life was marked by an innate fascination with nature and animals, an inclination supported by his parents despite skepticism from neighbors. He spent his childhood observing and interacting with dogs, cats, squirrels, and ants, intuitively sensing their emotions and attributing minds to them—a concept he later formalized in his 2002 book, Minding Animals, which explored both the act of caring for animals and acknowledging their cognitive lives.

His academic path was initially "nonlinear," including a stint in a Ph.D. medical program that did not align with his passion. A pivotal turning point came with his decision to pursue graduate studies under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Fox, a renowned ethologist known for his extensive work on canids and his advocacy for animal welfare. This period coincided serendipitously with the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jane Goodall, who was then studying chimpanzees in Gombe. Through Hugo van Lawick, Goodall’s husband and a National Geographic photographer, Bekoff gained vicarious insights into Goodall’s revolutionary methods, particularly her practice of naming individual animals and recognizing their unique personalities—practices that diverged sharply from the prevailing scientific norms of the time. These influences solidified Bekoff’s commitment to a holistic understanding of animal behavior, one that embraced emotions, intelligence, and individuality.

Bekoff’s doctoral research focused on the developmental behavior of young canids, including beagles, coyotes, wolves, and their hybrids (coyote-beagle and wolf-malamute). This extensive work, building upon Fox’s detailed ethological descriptions, allowed Bekoff to delve into the comparative aspects of canid development, observing different behavioral pathways between less social species like foxes and coyotes, and more social species like wolves. His research pioneered the use of behavioral profiles for taxonomic classification, demonstrating that distinct behavioral patterns correlated with genetic lineage, a novel application of ethology to mammalian taxonomy.

A subsequent faculty position at the University of Colorado, Boulder, provided the platform for Bekoff to pursue his calling as a field biologist. He secured a Guggenheim Fellowship, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional scholarship, for his "social cohesion theory of dispersal." This theory, which he developed based on observations of wild coyotes in the Lamar Valley of Grand Teton National Park, proposed that coyotes often disperse from their natal groups not primarily due to dominance hierarchies, but because of an inability to form social bonds with other group members. This challenge to established models of dominance and subordination highlighted the nuanced individual differences and social dynamics within animal populations.

Championing Compassionate Action and Youth Engagement

A central tenet of Love in Their Hearts is its explicit call to action, encouraging young readers to become active participants in animal welfare and conservation. Each chapter concludes with a section on "how to take compassionate action," reflecting the book’s subtitle, "A Guide to Compassionate Action." This ethos is deeply inspired by Jane Goodall’s global Roots & Shoots program, which empowers individuals of all ages to make a difference for animals, the environment, and human communities.

Bekoff passionately advocates for citizen science, encouraging teens to become "citizen ethologists" by observing and documenting animal behavior in their local environments, such as dog parks. This hands-on approach, exemplified by a story of a Kentucky teenager who built an outdoor enclosure to study mice, allows young people to engage directly with scientific inquiry and develop a deeper appreciation for the intelligence and emotional lives of often-overlooked species. The online Educator’s Kit further amplifies these efforts, providing resources for students and teachers to delve deeper into specific topics and translate their interest into tangible actions. By fostering this sense of agency, Bekoff aims to cultivate a generation of empathetic and proactive animal advocates, recognizing that every individual, regardless of age, possesses the capacity to contribute positively to the world.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Hope

Dr. Marc Bekoff’s career is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking and unwavering advocacy for animals. His work has been recognized with numerous awards for his research on animal behavior, emotions, cognitive ethology, compassionate conservation, and animal protection. In June 2022, he was honored as a "hero" by the Academy for Dog Trainers, a fitting tribute to his profound influence on understanding and improving the lives of canids. Beyond his extensive academic publications, including Jane Goodall at 90: Celebrating an Astonishing Lifetime of Science, Advocacy, Humanitarianism, Hope and Peace, he is a regular contributor to Psychology Today, reaching a broad public audience with his insights.

Bekoff’s collaboration with Jane Goodall extends beyond shared intellectual ground to tangible projects. Their upcoming children’s book, Every Elephant Has a Name, with its beautiful illustrations by Gavin Scott, continues their shared message of hope and inspiration, building on their earlier work, The Ten Trusts (2002). This book, which Jane Goodall helped complete before her passing, underscores the enduring legacy of their partnership in fostering empathy for all living beings.

Looking ahead, Dr. Bekoff is slated to participate in Bark! Fest, a book festival for animal lovers in September, where he will join a panel discussing books for teen and middle-grade readers, further promoting Love in Their Hearts. His ongoing dedication to teaching, researching, and inspiring both scientific and public audiences ensures that the conversation around animal emotions, intelligence, and the ethical responsibilities of humanity will continue to evolve and deepen. His core message remains clear: everyone can make a difference, and by understanding and respecting the emotional lives of animals, humans can cultivate a more compassionate and hopeful future for all residents of our shared planet.