Man's narrow interests get the better of his intelligence

The most predominant instinct in animal is self-preservation. Different species--- from the tiniest insect to the largest behemoth ---have developed different mechanisms of adaptability over the millennia for their survival. Birds, for example, have a special brain capacity to measure the space of the sky and control their flying speed according to their needs. Amazingly, they can return by the end of the day to where they began their sojourn in the morning.

Now the instinct of self-preservation gives rise to different behavioural patterns in the kingdom of animals. Some become timid and self-effacing, others are sloth, still others are smart and speedy and some are moderately aggressive others are fiercely aggressive. Thus is established an animal hierarchy. A food chain develops in which some animals become meals for others. This, however, does not mean that the stronger and the larger ones always have to be carnivores. Strangely, the species at the top of the carnivorous list is not the largest and the strongest one but a vulnerable biped which, albeit positioned at the top of the hierarchy, in an unarmed face-to-face confrontation is no match for a four-footed wild animal much shorter in size and weight.

Self-preservation instinct is backed up by personal or group interests. Strangely, though, such interests are rarely as narrow among wild animals as those are in the human species. A leopard can climb a tree with the animal it has killed and keep it hanging from branches away from other predators as a stock for the next meal but it won't hunt another animal as long as the existing one meets its hunger. Unlike man, bees and ants including sugar ants, animals usually do not preserve foods for the lean season. Bears including brown and grizzly bears in the colder region would rather eat food including fish double their body weight before going into hibernation during the winter.

Of course, animals fight for territorial right and snatch away preys from a weaker predator but it happens when stronger predator is also very hungry. A pride is found to lounge together after a sumptuous meal when the cubs are either sucking milk or engaged in playful manoeuvres and frivolity. Interests do not make even wild animals blind.

Actually instinct, intelligence and feelings determine the response of animals to a given situation. Apart from predatory behaviour that sets into motion when there is a need for food, animals usually do not attack others for the sake of attacking. They do so out of some kind of fear and when they feel someone else has infringed upon their territories. In fact, narrow interests do not guide them to pounce on others. They also use intelligence to analyse the consequences of their actions. The smaller animals or preys maintain a healthy distance from the predators. Even the weaker and younger ones of the same species would not usually dare take a gibe at the dominating male or female. Here submission is considered a virtue.

That is some kind of respect that the weaker primarily feel for the stronger. But the stronger also return the complement by not attacking and killing the submissive member of the species or clan. This shows that even the kingdom of wildlife is governed by some inviolable distinct rules. Anyone would be happy if the same could be said about most rational animal priding itself for the best of intellect and rationality.

People are not happy with what they have. Their higher intelligence only fuels their appetite for more ---whether it is land, other property, money or wealth. It is because of this, colonial powers looted wealth from colonies they subjugated. It is because of the same drive millionaires set their eyes on becoming billionaires. How despicable that even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the superrich gained enormous amount of wealth when millions went hungry because of loss of employment and lockdowns enforced by governments!

Such wealth accumulation is going on unrelentingly when more and more people are sliding into abysmal poverty. In certain parts of the world such as in Gaza and West Bank of Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, genocide is being carried out with impunity largely because of the narrow interests of big powers. The Palestinians are not only being annihilated but also they are dehumanised in a planned manner. The world stands as a silent spectator.

This is not the only time that attempts were made to exterminate an entire population. There is no such instance in which a species of wild animals has been the cause of extinction of another species. Here also man boasts the dubious credit of eliminating wild species altogether and pushed some others on the verge of extinction. Man has more to learn from animals because he is far too aggressive and conspiratorial when it comes to advancing his narrow interests. Humans can kill rivals or even another of their kinds without the slightest provocation but for serving their selfish concerns.