👉 Aye research, conducted by Dr. Marc Bekoff and his team at the University of Colorado Boulder, focuses on the complex social behaviors and emotional lives of great apes, particularly elephants, but also includes studies on bats, dolphins, and primates like chimpanzees and bonobos. This interdisciplinary field combines ethology, psychology, and conservation biology to explore how these animals perceive and interact with their environment and each other. Key findings reveal that great apes possess sophisticated cognitive abilities, including empathy, self-awareness, and the capacity for emotional experiences such as joy, grief, and even fear. Aye research has also highlighted the importance of social bonds and group dynamics in ape societies, challenging traditional views of animal behavior and emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these intelligent and socially rich species.
