Researchers studying elephants have long observed a curious behavior: sometimes when an elephant vocalizes, the entire group responds, but at other times, only a single elephant does. This observation led to a hypothesis that elephants might be calling each other by names.
Groundbreaking study in Kenya
A new study focusing on wild African savannah elephants in Kenya provides evidence supporting this idea. Researchers analyzed vocalizations from over 100 elephants in Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve. Using machine-learning models, they identified name-like components in these calls that seemed to address specific individuals.
To test their theory, researchers played recorded calls to 17 elephants. They found that elephants responded more enthusiastically to calls apparently addressed to them, walking towards the audio source and vocalizing more than when they heard calls meant for others.
Key findings
The study’s findings, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, indicate that elephants “address one another with something like a name,” according to lead author Mickey Pardo, a behavioral ecologist from Cornell University. Pardo noted that this behavior suggests elephants have sophisticated learning abilities and an understanding of social relationships.
Social bonds and communication
Pardo emphasized that the use of individual-specific vocal labels highlights the importance of social bonds for elephants. Elephants, known for their intelligence, keen memory, and problem-solving skills, engage in complex behaviors and communication methods.
Why names?
The study found that elephants commonly use these name-like calls during contact calls and between mothers and calves, often to calm or check in with them. Surprisingly, these calls were less common during greeting ceremonies.
While using names is rare in the animal kingdom, it is not unprecedented. Dolphins and parrots also use individual-specific vocal labels, although they typically imitate sounds. In contrast, elephants’ names seem to be arbitrary, akin to human names, requiring a capacity for abstract thought.
George Wittemyer, a study co-author and conservation biologist at Colorado State University, hopes this research will highlight elephants’ intelligence and foster greater interest in their conservation.
Although the idea of humans “talking” with elephants remains distant, Wittemyer notes that understanding the syntax and elements of elephant vocalizations is a crucial step towards deeper comprehension of their communication.
This study underscores the remarkable cognitive abilities of elephants and offers new insights into their social interactions and communication.