Massey University study reveals feelings of empathy in sheep

"I always have this picture in my mind: a sheep lying in a psychology chair and [me] asking them how they feel."

For her PhD, Mirjam Guesgen studied whether sheep feel pain and empathy.

Guesgen was one of 414 people graduating on the second day of this Massey University's graduation ceremonies in Palmerston North, including 24 receiving their masters and 14 PhDs. Her doctorate is Zoology.

"[Humans] can feel less pain when there are people by their side. I wanted to know if animals also have that happening," she said.

Massey University PhD student Mirjam Guesgen has spent three years studying whether sheep feel empathy. Photo: Faith Sutherland/Fairfax NZ

Guesgen said the idea of animals feeling empathy and pain was a relatively new area of research, but she was interested in the social and psychological aspects of animals.

"We can just ask someone, we look at their outward expression.

"Why do animals show pain at all?"

And because there are routine husbandry practices involving pain, like docking, sheep were a good animal to start looking to for answers.Guesgen looked at animals differently, coming up with theories like the "lamb grimace scale" and looking at the number of times lambs might roll when in pain.

The sheep were looked at for comforting behaviours and fear.

She said she found some interesting results by: "looking at the whole animal, rather than focusing on one area".

When pairing lambs together, sometimes twins, she looked at how they reacted to each other having their tail docked.

She said in the case of twins, the lambs showed a form of empathy.

"They were looking at their own tails as well."

But in the case of sheep who were not related, it was not the same. It could have been because of physical contact during there life, Guesgen said.

After the years of study, she admits she sees the animals as a "little bit smarter" than before.

Guesgen spent three months studying the animals' behaviours at an agricultural research farm in Whatawhata, near Hamilton.

"I didn't think I would get into sheep.

"The funny thing is, before I started my honours, I'd never seen a sheep before."

It was a "sharp introduction" into farm life for the self-proclaimed "city slicker", who grew up in Auckland and completed her undergraduate bachelor of science and psychology at the University of Auckland.

Guesgen moved down to Palmerston North to complete her honours in zoology.

The area of study could lead into looking at similar behaviours in other animals too, she said.

Guesgen, who now works at Massey University as a science communications advisor, said her passion for science was fostered by her father, Professor Hans Guesgen.

She recalled occasions where her father would visit her school and talk about science.

"He also used to let me come with him to university during the school holidays. I knew that's where I wanted to be. He is so inspirational and was also a great sounding board when I was doing my research."