Infanticide among animals, particularly in captive environments, has drawn attention due to recent incidents involving tigresses in Indian zoos. The deaths of cubs often occur under tragic circumstances. A tigress named Rika in West Bengal’s Siliguri Zoo accidentally killed her three newborn cubs. This incident marks the complexities of maternal behaviour in animals.
About Infanticide in Animal Kingdom
Infanticide is not uncommon in the animal world. Many species exhibit this behaviour for various reasons. Males often kill cubs to eliminate future competition. This behaviour is especially common among felines. It ensures the survival of their own genetic lineage. In contrast, maternal infanticide happens less frequently. Mothers may kill their offspring to conserve resources for healthier cubs.
Historical Context of Infanticide
Infanticide has been a recurring theme in human history and mythology. Ancient Spartans abandoned weak infants. Greek mythology features Cronus, who devoured his children to prevent being overthrown. Such narratives reflect the harsh realities of survival and resource management throughout history.
Factors Influencing Maternal Behaviour
Maternal instincts in animals are influenced by hormonal changes during pregnancy and after birth. Hormonal imbalances can lead to aggression towards cubs. First-time mothers often lack the experience to care for their young. This can result in tragic outcomes, as seen in various zoo incidents where mothers harmed or abandoned their cubs.
Case Studies of Infanticide in Zoos
Several cases illustrate the phenomenon of infanticide in captivity. In Kolkata, a lioness abandoned her underweight cub shortly after birth. In Jamshedpur, a leopard mother killed her cub after weeks of care. These instances show that even in controlled environments, maternal instincts can lead to dire consequences.
Stress and Environmental Factors
Stress plays role in maternal behaviour. Animals may react violently if they feel threatened or insecure. A lioness in Hyderabad killed her cub when startled by a new keeper. Similarly, a lioness in Belgium killed her cubs after their return from vaccination. These incidents underline the impact of stress on animal behaviour.
Misunderstanding Animal Behaviour
Human interpretations of animal behaviour can be misleading. Actions driven by survival instincts may be mischaracterised as cruelty. In the wild, mothers may consume dead cubs to regain energy or to protect surviving offspring from predators. Such behaviours are often rooted in instinct rather than emotional responses.
Importance of About Animal Behaviour
About the motivations behind infanticide in animals is crucial for better management in captivity. Zoos must consider the psychological and environmental factors affecting animal behaviour. Improved practices can help ensure the survival of cubs and the well-being of mothers.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the historical significance of infanticide in ancient societies. How does it reflect societal values?
- Discuss in the light of animal behaviour how captivity affects maternal instincts in wild species.
- With suitable examples, analyse the impact of environmental stressors on animal behaviour in captivity.
- Critically discuss the ethical implications of infanticide in both human and animal contexts.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the historical significance of infanticide in ancient societies. How does it reflect societal values?
- Infanticide in ancient societies often served as a means of population control, reflecting societal priorities on strength and health.
- Spartans abandoned weak infants to ensure a robust warrior class, showcasing the value placed on physical prowess.
- In Greek mythology, figures like Cronus symbolize the fear of losing power, indicating societal values around authority and legacy.
- Abandonment and infanticide narratives often highlight the harsh realities of survival and resource management in ancient cultures.
- These practices reveal the moral complexities and ethical dilemmas faced by societies in balancing individual lives against collective needs.
2. Discuss in the light of animal behaviour how captivity affects maternal instincts in wild species.
- Captivity can disrupt natural maternal instincts, leading to confusion and aggression towards cubs.
- First-time mothers often lack the experience necessary for nurturing, resulting in higher instances of infanticide.
- Stress and environmental changes in captivity can trigger fear responses, causing mothers to harm their cubs.
- Hormonal imbalances due to captivity can lead to aggressive behaviours that are not seen in the wild.
- About these factors is crucial for improving animal care and management in zoos and sanctuaries.
3. With suitable examples, analyse the impact of environmental stressors on animal behaviour in captivity.
- Environmental stressors such as unfamiliar caretakers can lead to aggression, as seen when a lioness killed her cub upon seeing a substitute keeper.
- Returning cubs from vaccination can trigger violent reactions, illustrated by a lioness in Belgium that killed her cubs post-return.
- Changes in habitat or routine can induce anxiety, leading to destructive behaviours in animals.
- Stress can exacerbate pre-existing conditions, influencing maternal behaviour negatively, as seen in various zoo incidents.
- These examples tell the need for stress-reducing practices in captive animal management.
4. Critically discuss the ethical implications of infanticide in both human and animal contexts.
- Infanticide raises ethical concerns regarding the value of life, both in human and animal societies.
- In humans, it often reflects societal pressures and moral dilemmas surrounding resources and family dynamics.
- In animals, infanticide can be viewed as an instinctual survival strategy, complicating moral interpretations.
- About the reasons behind infanticide can inform ethical treatment and management in captivity.
- The contrasting societal values between humans and animals challenge our perceptions of morality and instinct.
