Dr. Marc Bekoff Discusses New Book Love in Their Hearts, His Collaboration with Jane Goodall, and Decades of Canid Research

Celebrated ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff recently joined Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson on The Pawsitive Post in Conversation podcast to delve into his latest book, Love in Their Hearts: A Celebration of Animal Emotions and A Guide to Compassionate Action, his profound professional relationship with Dr. Jane Goodall, and his extensive career studying canids such as dogs, wolves, and coyotes. The interview offered listeners a rare glimpse into the mind of a scientist whose work has consistently championed the recognition of animal sentience and the importance of compassionate action.

A Distinguished Career in Animal Ethology

Dr. Marc Bekoff, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, stands as a towering figure in the fields of animal behavior, animal emotions, cognitive ethology, and compassionate conservation. With over 30 books to his name and numerous accolades for his groundbreaking research, Bekoff has dedicated his life to understanding the inner worlds of animals and advocating for their protection. His distinguished career includes a Guggenheim Fellowship, and he has worked closely with Dr. Jane Goodall, serving as co-chair of the Ethics Committee of the Jane Goodall Institute. In June 2022, his enduring contributions were recognized by the Academy for Dog Trainers, which honored him as a hero. His recent publications, including the second edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals and Jane Goodall at 90: Celebrating an Astonishing Lifetime of Science, Advocacy, Humanitarianism, Hope and Peace, underscore his continued influence and prolific output, complemented by regular contributions to Psychology Today.

During the podcast, hosts Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson lauded Bekoff’s unique ability to interweave compelling narratives with rigorous scientific inquiry, a hallmark of his work that resonates deeply with audiences of all ages. This storytelling approach, as Benson noted, serves as an exceptionally effective method for teaching and learning about complex scientific concepts.

"Love in Their Hearts": Cultivating Compassion in Young Minds

Bekoff’s newest literary endeavor, Love in Their Hearts, co-authored with Jeff Campbell, marks a significant departure from his previous works by specifically targeting a teenage audience. While sharing thematic links with his seminal 2007 work, The Emotional Lives of Animals, Bekoff emphasized that Love in Their Hearts is not a simplified version but a wholly distinct book. Its genesis emerged during the revision of The Emotional Lives of Animals, driven by a desire to create a book tailored for younger readers. Campbell, a seasoned writer for this demographic with experience publishing for Lonely Planet, brought his expertise to the project, enriching the narrative with more stories, interactive activities, and a deeper exploration of Bekoff’s own unconventional journey into science.

The book’s structure is designed to engage young minds, featuring sidebars that explain key concepts such as ethology and anthropomorphism, alongside inspiring essays from individuals whose early exposure to animals shaped their careers in animal behavior or conservation. Bekoff proudly noted the enthusiastic reception from adults—parents and teachers alike—who found the book equally compelling, affirming its appeal across generations. This broad appeal underscores the universal relevance of understanding animal emotions and the call for compassionate action.

The strategic decision to write for teens reflects a nuanced understanding of developmental stages. As Kristi Benson observed, this age group occupies a unique space, neither child nor fully adult, making them particularly receptive to stories that blend science with ethical considerations. Bekoff detailed how the writing process for teens necessitates a different approach, one that offers more detailed explanations and expository content without "watering down" complex scientific ideas. He highlighted the inclusion of in-depth discussions on concepts like anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism, supported by clear examples.

Further enhancing its educational impact, Love in Their Hearts is accompanied by a comprehensive online Educator’s Kit, accessible via QR codes within the book and on Bekoff’s website (markbeckhoff.com). This resource, developed with the valuable input of co-author Jeff Campbell’s daughter, Melinda, provides pertinent readings and practical guidance for teachers and students. The kit aims to transform passive readers into active citizen scientists and advocates, aligning with the book’s sub "A Guide to Compassionate Action."

Stories That Inspire: Jethro, Grizzly 399, and the Power of Empathy

Central to Bekoff’s pedagogical approach are vivid stories that illustrate complex scientific principles. He recounted the heartwarming tale of Jethro, a 90-pound Doberman-shepherd-hound hybrid he rescued from the Humane Society of the Boulder Valley. Jethro, known for his mellow disposition and amicable interactions with other animals, once presented Bekoff with a live baby bunny he had gently "belched out." What followed was a remarkable display of cross-species empathy: Jethro guarded the bunny incessantly, refusing to leave its side for weeks until it could be safely released back into the wild. This incident, later mirrored with a baby bird, powerfully demonstrated Jethro’s paternal care and profound compassion, challenging anthropocentric notions about animal emotional capacities.

Another poignant narrative in the book features Grizzly Bear 399, an iconic mother bear from Grand Teton National Park, whose life and interactions with her four cubs were extensively documented by world-renowned photographer Tom Mangelsen. Mangelsen’s autobiography of 399, included in Love in Their Hearts, captures the deep human-bear bond that developed between the bear and the thousands of people who traveled to witness her. While 399’s story ultimately ended tragically with a car accident, it served as a powerful testament to the emotional connections possible between humans and wildlife, as well as the challenges inherent in conservation efforts amidst increasing human presence. Mangelsen’s images, including a striking cover photograph of 399 and her cubs "looking into the book," beautifully complement the stories and underscore the majesty of the animal world.

An Unconventional Path to Scientific Discovery

Bekoff’s personal journey into science is as compelling as his research subjects. Describing himself as a "disaster" in school, he admits to disliking indoor environments, finding solace and fascination in nature from a young age in Brooklyn, New York. His early years were marked by an intuitive connection with animals—dogs, cats, squirrels, mice, ants—and an innate understanding of their emotions. This early recognition of animal sentience, which he termed "minding animals" (both caring for and attributing minds to them), formed the bedrock of his later scientific inquiries, long before such concepts gained mainstream acceptance.

His academic path was far from linear, including a stint in a medical PhD program that he eventually abandoned. A pivotal moment came with his mentorship under Dr. Michael Fox, a renowned ethologist whose pioneering work on canids deeply influenced Bekoff. Fox’s comprehensive descriptions and ideas about social ecology and comparative development in canids, encapsulated in his book The Behavior of Wolves, Dogs and Related Canids, provided a foundational framework for Bekoff’s doctoral research.

Around this time, Bekoff also absorbed the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jane Goodall, who was already studying chimpanzees in Gombe. Through Goodall’s then-husband, National Geographic photographer Hugo van Lawick, Bekoff learned about her revolutionary practices of naming individual animals and recognizing their distinct personalities—practices initially met with skepticism by the scientific establishment at Cambridge but which Goodall steadfastly maintained. This convergence of influences from Fox and Goodall solidified Bekoff’s conviction that animals possess rich emotional and cognitive lives, and that acknowledging their individuality through naming is crucial.

Bekoff’s dedication to field biology led him to the University of Colorado, Boulder, and subsequently to extensive research on wild coyotes in the Lamar Valley of Grand Teton National Park. His doctoral thesis, a detailed study on the developmental behavior of young beagles, coyotes, wolves, and various hybrids, laid the groundwork for his future explorations into canid ethology. He expanded upon Fox’s ideas, rigorously applying Nico Tinbergen’s four questions of ethology (evolution, adaptation, causation, and ontogeny) to understand the intricate development of behavior across different canid species.

One of his most significant contributions was in behavioral taxonomy, where his meticulous film analyses of canid behavior demonstrated that distinct patterns could delineate taxonomic lines between purebreds and hybrids. This innovative approach offered a novel method for classification, moving beyond purely morphological or genetic markers.

The Social Cohesion Theory of Dispersal: Redefining Animal Relationships

In 1977, Bekoff was awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, partly due to the endorsement of the late E.O. Wilson, who recognized the importance of Bekoff’s work in integrating phylogeny and ontogeny. This fellowship enabled him to develop the "social cohesion theory of dispersal." This theory posited that young coyotes, unlike previous models that emphasized dominance and subordination driving individuals out of their natal groups, often dispersed because they struggled to form social bonds with their group members. Observations revealed that some young coyotes were either actively avoided or had their play solicitations ignored, leading to their voluntary departure rather than forced expulsion. This theory provided an alternative, more nuanced explanation for dispersal, focusing on individual differences in personality and social dynamics within animal groups. The theory has since found support in studies of other species, such as yellow-bellied marmots, and continues to be a subject of active research, showcasing its enduring scientific relevance.

Empowering Future Advocates: The Legacy of Compassionate Conservation

A core message woven throughout Love in Their Hearts and Bekoff’s broader work is the conviction that "everyone can make a difference." This philosophy deeply echoes the principles championed by Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program, which inspires individuals of all ages to take action for animals, people, and the environment. Bekoff advocates for "compassionate action," encouraging young people to become citizen scientists, observing animals in their natural habitats—from dog parks to backyards—and challenging preconceived notions.

He shared an anecdote about a young boy in Kentucky who, inspired by Bekoff’s work, set up an outdoor enclosure to study mice, demonstrating their empathy and intelligence, thereby challenging the common perception of mice as mere pests. This example perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Educator’s Kit, which guides individuals to conduct their own studies and engage in meaningful conservation efforts. The book and its accompanying resources aim to empower youth with hope and the tools to effect positive change in a world that desperately needs advocates for its non-human inhabitants.

Looking Ahead: New Publications and Enduring Inspiration

Bekoff’s commitment to animal advocacy remains undiminished. He revealed an upcoming children’s book, Every Elephant Has a Name, co-authored with Jane Goodall, featuring beautiful illustrations by Gavin Scott. This book, a continuation of themes from their 2002 work The Ten Trusts, promises to be another source of hope and inspiration, particularly for younger children.

When asked for a recent book recommendation, Bekoff enthusiastically endorsed Merrill Sapp’s Knowing Wonder, An Elephant Story. He described it as a short, moving narrative that beautifully captures the individual lives, trials, and tribulations of elephants, calling it a "gentle but real" read that profoundly affects its audience.

Dr. Marc Bekoff’s interview underscored his unwavering dedication to fostering a deeper understanding of animal emotions and promoting compassionate coexistence. His work, bridging rigorous science with accessible storytelling, continues to inspire generations to recognize the profound sentience of animals and to act as their informed and empathetic protectors. His ongoing collaborations and new publications ensure that his message of hope and compassionate action will resonate for years to come, shaping a more empathetic future for all beings.