Episode produced by Jess Harriot, Dale Moskoff & Joseph Kawalec.

In this first episode of Sync into the Earth we discuss definitions of intelligence, how they can be applied to identify intelligence in the animal kingdom and known examples of animal intelligence. We began with various definitions of learning and intelligence and explain the distinction between classical conditioning and creative problem solving. We then discuss scientific studies of animal intelligence, how intelligence in dogs may contribute to the personal relationships humans form with their pets, tool use, altruism, memory and recognition of self in birds, evidence of imagination and planning in octopuses, social behaviour and play in manatees, and barriers to understanding animal intelligence from a human point of view. We conclude by examining the connection between our understanding of animal intelligence and opinions on biodiversity conservation.