"Newborn mammals find comfort in contact, and rescue animals sometimes seek solace from fuzzy toys in the absence of their families, said Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Some adult animals might also look to toys for safety and companionship, according to Bekoff. 'It brings them joy, and it makes them feel good,' he said."
"Lizzy carries the green Dr. Seuss character everywhere, including when she roams the woods, sunbathes and sleeps in a villa with more than a dozen other chimpanzees. If she needs her hand to eat or climb a tree, Lizzy, 35, transfers the doll to her feet. Lizzy's dolls eventually become brown with dirt. Staff members at Project Chimps stitch together the dolls' floppy arms and legs, which can come apart when other chimpanzees try to steal the toys."
Punch the monkey's attachment to a stuffed orangutan sparked global interest in animal emotional well-being. Animal caregivers report that orphaned and rescued mammals—including chimpanzees, penguins, mountain lions, and elephants—commonly bond with toys as sources of comfort and companionship. According to Marc Bekoff, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, newborn mammals seek comfort through contact, and rescue animals often turn to fuzzy toys when separated from their families. Adult animals may also use toys for safety and emotional support. These attachments bring animals joy and improve their well-being. Examples include Lizzy, a 35-year-old chimpanzee at a Georgia sanctuary who carries a specific Grinch doll everywhere, even transferring it to her feet when her hands are needed for other activities.
Read at The Washington Post
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