The Singing Gorilla: Understanding Animal Intelligence

How animals think and feel is a question which has long occupied scientists. Pavlov s famous experiment proved that dogs negotiate the world purely on instinct as they salivate at the ring of a bell which they associate with being fed. What he failed also to note was that exactly the same is true of humans. If animals are capable of showing fear why, then, should they not also be capable of showing love, envy or sadness? If humans are the only mammals capable of creativity and emotion, why do wild gorillas sing when they are content? George Page s fascinating and accessible book accompanies a landmark BBC documentary series.