Is there a direct correlation between animal intelligence and empathy/compassion?

[banquo's_bumble_puppy]

This is a what is your opinion type of question: Is there a direct correlation between animal intelligence and empathy/compassion? I sawthe recent news story about the elephant and the dog that were "friends". When the dog had become sick the elephant stood vigil outside of the house where the dog lived. Recently the dog died due to a coyote attack- apparently the elephant carried th dog home using it's trunk. Elephants are highly intelligent creatures and this story suggests that the elephant "cared" for the dog. Earth has more than one intelligent species...dolphins, elephants, birds, mice...;-)

[Swift]

I suspect there is a connection, as a certain amount of cognetive ability is probably required for both, but I'm not sure if there is a direct correlation. I suspect how sociable an animal is (humans, dolphins, and elephants all form complex social structures) is also a factor

Earth has more than one intelligent species...dolphins, elephants, birds, mice...;-)

Mice are an intelligent species? I can't say I agree.

[Tog]

I think the other side of this might be looking at the "compassionate" nature of crows/ravens. They are certainly among the more intelligent animals but I don't see one going to get help for something wounded no matter the relation.

[banquo's_bumble_puppy]

I suspect there is a connection, as a certain amount of cognetive ability is probably required for both, but I'm not sure if there is a direct correlation. I suspect how sociable an animal is (humans, dolphins, and elephants all form complex social structures) is also a factor

Mice are an intelligent species? I can't say I agree.

Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy- and they were actually aliens...I forgot to mention whales and a good number of others I suspect...

[jokergirl]

Dolphins can be pretty cruel, both to dolphins and other species.

But there was this story about the lion who adopted an antelope...

[PraedSt]

Animal intelligence also tends to correlate with "bad" stuff, like cruelty (see Jokergirl above), deception (monkeys/apes) and more ingenious ways to kill.