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

Dr. Marc Bekoff, a distinguished professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has released his latest book, Love in Their Hearts: A Celebration of Animal Emotions and A Guide to Compassionate Action. Co-authored with Jeff Campbell, the book targets a young adult audience but has garnered significant praise from readers of all ages for its compelling blend of scientific insight and engaging narratives that illuminate the complex emotional lives of animals. In a recent interview with Zazie Todd and Kristi Benson on The Pawsitive Post in Conversation, Dr. Bekoff discussed the genesis of the book, his extensive career studying canids, and his influential collaborations with conservation icon Dr. Jane Goodall.

The Genesis of Love in Their Hearts

Love in Their Hearts emerges as a distinct companion to Dr. Bekoff’s earlier acclaimed work, The Emotional Lives of Animals, first published in 2007. Dr. Bekoff clarified that the new publication is not merely a simplified version of its predecessor but a uniquely crafted volume, rich with fresh stories and interactive activities designed to resonate with younger readers. The inspiration for the book arose during the revision process for the second edition of The Emotional Lives of Animals, sparking an idea for a similar yet distinct book for a younger demographic. Jeff Campbell, Dr. Bekoff’s long-standing copy editor for nearly two decades, enthusiastically joined the project, leveraging his experience writing for audiences, including Lonely Planet publications, to craft accessible and engaging content.

The book’s structure incorporates sidebars explaining key concepts such as ethology and anthropomorphism, alongside brief essays from individuals who pursued careers in animal behavior and conservation after early life exposure to animals. This approach ensures scientific rigor while remaining approachable. The widespread positive reception from adults, including parents and teachers, underscores the book’s universal appeal, solidifying Dr. Bekoff’s view that it is a valuable resource for all ages.

A Champion of Animal Emotions and Compassionate Conservation

Dr. Bekoff’s career is marked by his unwavering advocacy for animal emotions, cognitive ethology, compassionate conservation, and animal protection. As a professor emeritus at the University of Colorado, Boulder, he has authored more than 30 books and received numerous accolades for his groundbreaking research. His contributions include a Guggenheim Fellowship, a prestigious award recognizing exceptional scholarship, and in June 2022, he was honored as a "hero" by the Academy for Dog Trainers, acknowledging his profound impact on understanding and improving the lives of dogs.

His recent publications include 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. Dr. Bekoff also regularly contributes to Psychology Today, where he shares insights on animal behavior and welfare, reaching a broad public audience.

A Non-Linear Path to Ethology

Dr. Bekoff’s journey into the world of animal behavior was anything but conventional. Born in Brooklyn, New York, his childhood was characterized by an innate fascination with nature and animals, an interest he describes as an "imprinting" on the natural world. Despite a "disastrous" academic record in his early years, his parents nurtured his passion, even as some neighbors found his dedication to observing local wildlife unusual. This early immersion fostered a deep conviction in the emotional and cognitive lives of animals, a belief that would later become the cornerstone of his scientific career.

His academic path took an unexpected turn when he left a Ph.D. medical program, a field he realized was not his true calling. This pivotal decision led him to connect with Dr. Michael Fox, a renowned ethologist and pioneer in canid research. Dr. Fox became Dr. Bekoff’s graduate mentor, and their collaboration laid the foundation for Dr. Bekoff’s extensive work on canids.

During this period, Dr. Bekoff also developed a vicarious connection to Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Gombe. Dr. Goodall’s then-husband, Hugo van Lawick, a National Geographic photographer, would stay with Dr. Bekoff when visiting the United States, providing Dr. Bekoff with firsthand accounts of her revolutionary approach. Goodall’s practice of naming her chimpanzee subjects and recognizing their individual personalities, initially met with skepticism by the scientific establishment at Cambridge, profoundly influenced Dr. Bekoff. This approach resonated with his own childhood observations and Dr. Fox’s open-mindedness, reinforcing his conviction that animals possess complex emotions and intelligence. This blend of influences solidified Dr. Bekoff’s commitment to studying animal sentience and advocating for their recognition as individuals.

Pioneering Research in Canid Behavior

Dr. Bekoff’s doctoral thesis, conducted under Dr. Michael Fox, focused on the developmental behavior of young beagles, coyotes, wolves, and their hybrids. This comprehensive research expanded upon Dr. Fox’s detailed descriptions of canid ethology, particularly the comparative development of social behaviors in less social canids like foxes and coyotes versus highly social wolves. This early work reinforced Dr. Bekoff’s commitment to the principles of ethology established by figures like Nico Tinbergen, emphasizing the study of behavior’s evolution, adaptive aspects, causation (internal and external), and ontogeny (development).

His career at the University of Colorado, Boulder, provided the platform for further field research. After securing a grant, Dr. Bekoff embarked on an intensive study of wild coyotes in the Lamar Valley of Grand Teton National Park. This experience cemented his preference for field biology over laboratory studies, emphasizing the importance of observing animals in their natural habitats. He also extended his observations to free-ranging dogs in the mountains near Boulder, recognizing the accessibility and value of studying domestic canids in their everyday environments.

One of Dr. Bekoff’s significant contributions to ethology is his work on behavioral taxonomy. Through meticulous film analyses of purebred beagles, coyotes, wolves, and their hybrids (including New England canids which were later identified as dog-wolf-coyote hybrids), he demonstrated that distinct behavioral profiles could be used to classify these groups. This pioneering application of behavior for taxonomic purposes in mammals provided empirical evidence that different canid groups exhibit unique behavioral patterns that align with their genetic lineage, a concept that was groundbreaking at the time.

In 1977, Dr. Bekoff was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for his "social cohesion theory of dispersal." This theory challenged prevailing models of dominance and subordination as the primary drivers of animal dispersal, proposing instead that an inability to form social bonds within a natal group could lead to an individual’s departure. Based on observations of coyotes, he noted that some individuals dispersed not because they were driven out, but because they struggled to bond with their peers, often finding their play solicitations ignored or met with aggression. This theory, which brought together principles of phylogeny (evolutionary history) and ontogeny (development), highlighted individual differences in personality among young coyotes and has continued to inspire research decades later.

Stories that Inspire Empathy: Jethro and Grizzly 399

Central to Love in Their Hearts are compelling animal stories that serve as powerful illustrations of animal emotions and empathy. Dr. Bekoff recounts the heartwarming tale of Jethro, a 90-pound Doberman-Shepherd-Hound mix he rescued from a humane society. Jethro, known for his mellow temperament, once brought Dr. Bekoff a baby bunny, seemingly seeking help rather than acting as a predator. Jethro then exhibited paternal care, refusing to leave the bunny’s side for weeks until it recuperated and was released back into the wild. He later displayed similar care for a baby bird. This cross-species empathy, Dr. Bekoff notes, underscores the profound capacity for compassion in animals.

Another poignant story features Grizzly 399, a renowned mama bear living in Grand Teton National Park, extensively photographed and studied by world-famous wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen. Mangelsen’s intimate portrayal of 399 and her four cubs, captured on the back cover of Love in Their Hearts, made her a global icon, drawing thousands of visitors to the park. The story, written by Mangelsen, details the bear’s life and the deep human-bear bond that formed between her and her observers. Sadly, 399 met a tragic end when she was hit by a car, a loss deeply mourned by Mangelsen and countless admirers. This narrative, while sorrowful, serves as a testament to the emotional connections humans form with wildlife and highlights the challenges of coexistence.

Empowering the Next Generation: The Call to Action

A core objective of Love in Their Hearts is to inspire "compassionate action" among its readers. Dr. Bekoff and Jeff Campbell have developed an extensive Educator’s Kit and supplementary online resources, accessible via a QR code in the book and on Dr. Bekoff’s website. These resources provide pertinent readings and practical guidance for young people to engage in citizen science and become animal advocates.

This initiative is deeply influenced by Dr. Jane Goodall’s "Roots & Shoots" program, which champions the idea that everyone, regardless of age, can make a positive difference for animals, the environment, and human communities. Dr. Bekoff encourages young readers to become "citizen ethologists" by observing animals in their local environments, such as dog parks. He shares an inspiring anecdote about a Kentucky teenager who, after learning about mice from Dr. Bekoff, built an outdoor enclosure to study their behavior, demonstrating the practical application of the book’s message. The Educator’s Kit provides a "one-stop-shopping" approach, offering tangible steps for readers to delve deeper into animal welfare and conservation.

Broader Implications and Future Endeavors

Dr. Bekoff emphasizes that the main message of Love in Their Hearts is empowerment: "Everyone can make a difference in the world. Don’t ever give up. Never say never." This hopeful perspective, coupled with the book’s focus on animal sentience, aims to cultivate a generation of empathetic and active individuals committed to improving the lives of non-human animals and, by extension, human society. His work consistently underscores the ethical imperative to recognize and respect animal emotions and intelligence.

Dr. Bekoff continues his prolific output, with an upcoming children’s book titled Every Elephant Has a Name, co-authored with Jane Goodall. The book, whose preliminary art Dr. Bekoff received shortly before Goodall’s passing, is described as a "book of hope and inspiration" that builds upon their earlier collaboration, The Ten Trusts, published in 2002.

Dr. Marc Bekoff is scheduled to participate in Bark! Fest, a book festival for animal lovers in September, where he will be featured on a panel discussing books for teens and middle-grade readers, further promoting Love in Their Hearts. His enduring commitment to shedding light on the rich inner lives of animals continues to shape scientific understanding and inspire compassionate action worldwide.

This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.