- A new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution involving wild African savannah elephants also known as African Bush Elephants (Endangered) in Kenya supports the idea that elephants address each other by an equivalent of name.
Asian Elephants bury their calves
- A recently published study in the ‘Journal of Threatened Taxa’ on elephants observed that Asian elephants bury their dead calves.
- Earlier researchers observed African forest elephants covering deceased herd members with leaves and branches.
- There is also evidence of mourning, moving dead bodies to specified sites and standing guard over dead bodies among Asian Elephants.
- When an elephant makes a vocalisation to a group of other elephants, all of them respond.
- Yet, sometimes, when that same elephant makes a similar call to the group, only a single individual responds.
- The researchers analysed vocalisations —mostly rumbles generated by elephants using their vocal cords, similar to how people speak — made by more than 100 elephants in Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve.
- Researchers used a machine-learning model to understand these patterns.
- Elephants respond more strongly to calls addressed to them, showing enthusiasm and moving toward the sound.
- Evidence of social bonds and maintaining multiple social relationships for elephants.
- Elephants are the planet’s largest land animals and are highly intelligent.
- They are known for keen memory, their problem-solving skills, and sophisticated communication.
- Previous research has shown that they engage in complicated behaviour; visual, acoustic, and tactile gestures — when greeting each other.
- It was also common for a mother to rumble to her calves, often to calm them down or check in with them.
Dig Deeper: Read about the MIKE Programme and IUCN classification of Asian Elephants and African forest elephants.
