Among the animal relationships that bother people the most is the one of predator-prey. However in understanding that all animals must eat to survive, people can accept the dynamic relationship between predators and their prey. One aspect of this relationship is that they keep each other in check. For example, prairie dogs would breed uncontrollably unless black-footed ferret ate them. Crudely speaking, the number of prairie dogs determines the numbers of ferrets. The predator and prey relationship is the “Ying and Yang” of nature.
Among animals, the predator-prey relationship is a dynamic one. From a prey’s point of view, predators teach defense skills. When confronted with danger, prairie dogs bark a warning, and hide in their burrows. Manatees flee, while a sloth hides in plain sight. A hedgehog rolls into a ball that a fox cannot open up. In the meantime, grey kangaroo kicks her predator to death.
As for predators, they have to develop strategies to get their food. Black-footed ferrets burrow into prairie dog towns at night, when prairie dogs are sleeping. Dragonflies, the Hawks of the Insect World, swoop down and kill other insects. Orcas (killer whales) work in packs to bring down a blue whale.
The problem lies with people who place values on the actions of animals. Many people do have specific ideas based on what they want these animals to be. Dolphins, orcas, and other sea mammals especially are saddled with the burdens of fulfilling people’s hopes and wishes.
Killer Whales do what they do because that is who they are. They are separate from people, from their hopes, desires and needs. Killer whales have their own sense of self and their own ethics. In reality, they are as alien to people as people are to them. Killer Whales are their own beings.
To know the animal, a person must set aside their ego and self. Instead, observe and become a part of the Killer Whale’s landscape. Watch without judgment and grow in understanding of the alien Killer Whale. See life from the eyes of the Killer Whale, and be richly rewarded.
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Va. Carper
March 16, 2008