Remembering Friends and Strangers

Elephants can recognize the calls of many other elephants.

In a well-known study in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, researchers played recordings of elephant calls to family groups.

Families led by older matriarchs were better at telling the difference between the calls of familiar elephants and strangers, and reacted more appropriately.

The study suggested that the knowledge older elephants build up over many years really does help their families.

Continue reading: Chapter 3 of 5 →