We Need To Work With Nature, Not Against It

If I had a wish to mimic a community after one single person, I would probably choose Sir David Attenborough. He embodies everything good, decent, wise and hopeful about being a human being. His passion, respect and humility towards all living beings are the golden key to a marvellous life with a grand sense of purpose. 

Sometimes it feels like our ability to make decisions is our biggest disadvantage, rather than our best trait. While growing up, I kept hearing that it was the characteristic that sets us apart from the rest of the animals, but that is not necessarily a good thing. I see birds, bears, bees, elephants, ants, etc., constantly making decisions that affect their offspring or their community, for the best or better, never to harm them. 

While living in Hawaii, I found two baby birds that had fallen out of their nest. While trying to figure out how to get them back to their nest, one of the neighbour's cats came onto the patio, but before I even reacted, the birds’ dad flew straight to its back and gave it a slight touch to take its attention away from the babies, who were holding on to the fence. Why would a tiny creature that weighed less than a pound, would choose to do something so dangerous against an animal 20 times heavier? He had less than a second to make a life-saving decision to safeguard his babies, and he chose to risk everything for them. These acts happen in nature all the time and are just as heroic. For example, when forager honey bees go out to look for nectar, they do it even when there are storms, when they won’t find fresh water for kilometres, when the heat turns extreme, when they are easy prey, but despite pretty much everything against them, nothing keeps them from doing their job to keep the hive alive. 

There is no doubt in our hearts that we are nothing without pollinators, but we must admit that we have zero chances of surviving if we don’t put our proud and know-it-all minds aside and make a true effort to understand the purpose of ALL LIVING BEINGS. You don’t need to do much, just hold still and PAY ATTENTION. Try something, think of the one animal that you believe serves no purpose to us, go to Google and ask: What does (the animal name) do for humans? The answer will surprise you.

Now that you have read how much we love all living beings, we beg you to support their well-being. Most importantly, if you witness animals in restraints that cause injury, that do not allow movement or rest, beatings, punishments or torture, lack of veterinary care in case of illness or injury, forced labour on asphalt with excessive weight or incorrect harnesses for equines, you must do something. You can report it to SEPRONA (Guardia Civil) by calling 062 or by email at seprona@guardiacivil.org. Spain had a significant shortcoming in animal welfare until Law 7/2023 on the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare came into effect in 2023, finally providing a legal and regulatory framework for the serious problem of animal abuse. This law created the State Council for Animal Protection and a central registry system for animal protection. It also establishes penalties for those who commit animal abuse, ranging from warnings or fines of €500 to €10,000 for minor offences, €10,001 to €50,000 for serious offences, and €50,001 to €200,000 for very serious offences. 

Even Spain’s royalty gets involved, and Queen Sofía is taking another step in her commitment to animals with the opening of a comprehensive animal protection and shelter centre in Arganda del Rey, promoted by the Queen Sofía Foundation. The centre, which will open next year, will care for abandoned or stray animals, providing them with rehabilitation, care, and adoption opportunities, with a special focus on donkeys, one of the most neglected species in rural areas. They are fascinating animals that are highly misunderstood and discriminated against, but donkeys are incredibly intelligent and loving.

Empathy towards animals is a form of intelligence because it goes beyond one's own circle. It’s natural to empathise with others who are similar to you; however, understanding the suffering of other beings that speak another language and have a different biology reaches a level that most people can’t achieve. It is the ability of the brain to read invisible signals such ash as body language, emotions and breathing, and respond as if they were your own speech. Scientists have linked empathy towards animals to the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for moral decision-making and strategic thinking. Such people are capable of making more complex, far-sighted and humane decisions. History confirms that compassion towards animals has always been an indicator of a developed society, while cruelty towards them is a sign of moral degradation.  

Research indicates that empathy and affection towards animals are partly hardwired into human DNA, specifically through variations in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone," is known to boost social bonding between humans, and studies show it also plays a key role in our emotional connection with animals. Therefore, it makes total sense why some humans are more passionate towards animals than others, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be just as good to them.

Want a better world for the people you love? Care for animals, then.

Our purpose.

Talk to us.

When you know you are a special kind of intelligent!