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Pckts · 04-20-2021, 09:40 PM

A serious road block!

Dark Jaguar · 06-27-2021, 04:03 PM

~~LandSeaLion~~ · 03-08-2022, 03:42 PM

A really interesting study on knowledge & leadership in elephants, and how age affects their sensitivity to predator threat. The oldest matriarchs are more sensitive to the roars of male lions compared to younger elephants.

Quote:These results demonstrate that while elephant family groups react more strongly to three lions than a single lion roaring irrespective of matriarch age, those led by older matriarchs show a greater sensitivity to the more serious threat posed by male lions across all our behavioural responses, including measures of attentiveness, bunching and mobbing approach. The superior ability to detect the presence of male lions at an early stage— evident in the greater probability of older matriarchs engaging in prolonged periods of listening and defensively bunching with their groups—is likely to have significant survival benefits affording better protection for vulnerable calves in particular. Previous researchers have speculated that elephant groups can derive fitness benefits from the improvement in ecological knowledge conferred by an older matriarch, suggesting that this enables better utilization of scarce resources and predator avoidance during periods of drought [15]. Our work provides the first direct experimental evidence that older matriarchs are in fact able to make better decisions when faced with ecological challenges—in this case, the presence of dangerous predators.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Graeme-Shannon/publication/50409036_Leadership_in_elephants_The_adaptive_value_of_age/links/09e41509c1c5822c78000000/Leadership-in-elephants-The-adaptive-value-of-age.pdf

The background:

Quote:Despite theoretical predictions that democratic decision-making should predominate in animal groups [1 – 4], it is becoming clear that specific leaders commonly appear to guide the actions of other group members [5 – 8]. Leaders are therefore increasingly seen as important in coordinating social organization, and there is now grow- ing interest in parallels between leadership in humans and animals that suggest common evolutionary origins, with the same morphological and behavioural traits predicting leadership across species [3]. Understanding the benefits to individual group members of accepting a leader’s decision is critical to uncovering the evolutionary basis of leadership, and hence increasing our knowledge of the role leaders play in human and animal societies [3,9]. One situation in which individuals may gain from following a leader is if older leaders possess some form of superior knowledge enabling better decisions in response to environmental or social triggers [10–12].

Mathematical models of group decision-making have indicated that it may pay individuals in small groups to accept the decision of a knowledgeable leader where large disparities exist in the information possessed by different group members [1]. Indeed, research on humans indicates that age is correlated with leadership in domains that require specialized knowledge [13], and there is recent evidence that decisions about social conflicts improve with age despite declines in many forms of cognitive processing [14]. In animal societies, it has most often been suggested that older leaders provide a vital source of ecological knowledge (e.g. about the location of scarce resources or migration routes), but direct tests of this in natural populations are lacking because of the difficulties in quantifying the relevant skills [6,11,15,16].

A key facet of ecological knowledge that is more amenable to experimental investigation is the ability to respond appropriately to the threat of predators. Moreover, as anti-predator response strategies are often costly and may involve an element of risk [17], the experience to discern when such strategies should be implemented would have critical energetic and survival benefits for individual group members. By using a novel playback paradigm where lion roars were broadcast to simulate varying levels of predatory threat—presented by different numbers and sexes of lions—we were able to investigate directly how groups of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) with leaders of different ages performed at assessing fine-scaled differences in the risk involved. In doing so, we built on techniques previously developed to assess the factors affecting social knowledge in elephant groups [10].

Female African elephants live in matrilineal family units led by the oldest female, or matriarch, who plays a key role in coordinating group movements and responses to threat [10,18 – 20]. Other than humans, lions are the main natural predators of African elephants [21 – 23], typically preying on calves of less than 4 years of age [23,24]. Although it is often assumed that lionesses do most of the hunting, male lions are in fact considerably more effective and successful predators when it comes to targeting the largest prey—namely elephants and buffalo [23,25,26]. These large-bodied species often react to lion attacks with cooperative and aggressive defence mechanisms, presenting formidable opponents given their combined strength and dangerous weaponry [25,27]. In such situations, male lions, being on average 50 per cent larger in body mass and considerably more powerful than females [28], are at a distinct advantage. It is notable that the mean group size for successful male lion hunts on elephants is dramatically smaller than that for successful female hunts (1.8 versus 7 in one key study [23]), a finding also reflected in data on lion hunts of buffalo [25]. Moreover, while hunting success typically increases with group size [22,23], it has been demonstrated that male lions have the capability of overpowering a young elephant even when hunting alone [19,23]. Older elephant matriarchs should be more experienced in facing lion encounters than younger matriarchs, and hence we might expect them to be better able to identify the greater risk posed by larger groups of lions and by male lions in particular. Our study, using individually known elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya (see §2), provides an unusual opportunity to examine directly how the age of a leader may influence this vital ecological knowledge in a wild population.

Abilities to discriminate between different levels of predatory threat were tested by giving elephant family units playbacks of three lions versus a single lion roaring and, within these categories, roaring from male versus female lions (see §2). In a wide range of social species, individuals may benefit through increased attentiveness, group-defensive behaviour and, in some cases, even approaches to harass predators (mobbing), which can serve both to directly discourage attack and to gain further information about the threat involved [19,29,30]. While mobbing is not widespread among mammals [17], elephants are sufficiently large and well coordinated to search out and direct group attacks on potential predators [19,27,31]. In conjunction with our previous research on social knowledge in African elephants [10], we predicted that groups led by older matriarchs would show greater attentiveness, defensive bunching behav- iour and increased likelihood of mobbing approach when faced with lion groups (as opposed to singletons) and with males (as opposed to females).

Pckts · 05-26-2022, 10:31 PM

Pckts · 06-02-2022, 09:07 PM

Jagdeep Rajput Photographie

*This image is copyright of its original author

Ashutosh · 06-12-2022, 11:27 PM

Filename: 42529FF2-59F9-42BF-904A-F8209205328D.jpeg Size: 162.66 KB 06-12-2022, 11:23 PM

Mr. Kabini aka Bogeshwara died yesterday at the age of (65-68) in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. He had the distinction of having the longest tusks of any Asiatic Elephant measuring over 8 feet in length. His tusks scraped the ground as he walked.

His body will be left for scavengers while his tusks have been removed and will be on display. Was personally lucky enough to see him. He was so majestic.

Filename: 64C3D522-6505-4826-93DB-FF233FD6D86F.jpeg Size: 433.79 KB 06-12-2022, 11:26 PM

https://kolomkobir.com/bhugeshwaras-elephant-the-longest-tusk-in-asia-dies/

GrizzlyClaws · 06-13-2022, 03:38 AM

(06-12-2022, 11:27 PM)Ashutosh Wrote: Mr. Kabini aka Bogeshwara died yesterday at the age of (65-68) in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. He had the distinction of having the longest tusks of any Asiatic Elephant measuring over 8 feet in length. His tusks scraped the ground as he walked.

His body will be left for scavengers while his tusks have been removed and will be on display. Was personally lucky enough to see him. He was so majestic.

https://kolomkobir.com/bhugeshwaras-elephant-the-longest-tusk-in-asia-dies/

His tusks look really thick, and I wonder if they can weigh 200 lbs each like those largest African elephants.

Sully · 06-25-2022, 08:46 PM

Diet DNA reveals novel African Forest elephant ecology on the grasslands of the Congo Basin

Abstract

Elephants are essential ecological engineers, creating and maintaining landscape structure and ecosystem function. The recently distinguished and critically endangered forest elephant is currently classified as a selective, non-destructive frugivorous browser that maintains forest diversity, while the savanna elephant is a mixed feeder, often pushing over trees while maintaining grasslands. The presence and diets of forest elephants on grasslands and the potential maintenance of these systems remain largely unexplored. In the ecotone between the Guinea-Congolian forest and Sudanian-Guinean savanna ecosystems in Garamba National Park, DRC, we investigated forest elephant diet selection as a function of sex, age, and habitat using diet DNA (dDNA) metabarcoding of non-invasively collected dung. GPS collar data were used to determine annual habitat use. Dietary niche partitioning was assessed among megaherbivores in the grasslands. Fecal samples represented the diet of individuals within each habitat, providing valuable insight into the plant biodiversity. Ecological patterns of diet were also revealed using a taxonomically free exact sequence variance approach, highlighting useability in a poorly characterized region. In the early wet season, these typically frugivorous forest elephants were consuming mostly grasses in both the woodland and grassland habitats and showing no sexual dimorphism in diet selection when in the same habitats. However, males were greater risk-takers, entering the human-altered landscape to forage on fruit. The forest elephants play a distinctive role within this tropical grassland when compared to other megaherbivores and utilize the unique ecosystem throughout the year. This elephant population is exhibiting behavioral plasticity and shifting their gardening efforts to a novel resource in the grasslands as opposed to their standard role in the forests, which is key to understanding their impact as ecosystem drivers within this landscape. This shift in behavior may result in this recovering elephant population playing a functional role in the restoration and maintenance of these grasslands.

Spalea · 08-10-2023, 01:35 PM

Very recent video I just come to discover.

" Kukura is Shonga meaning “growing” referring to the speed at which this bulls tusks developed from Emerging to Larger Tusker status in a short space of time.
Range: Northern Satara/Letaba.This bull predominates the northern central region but has been recorded as far north as Letaba.
Special Features: Kukura has tusks that are fairly symmetrical with the right tusk curved slightly higher than the left. The ivory is also on the thinner side when compared to other large bulls. This bull is quiet distinctive in that the left ear is partially floppy. In addition to the partial floppy nature of the left ear with a tendency to fold backwards there are a few notable notches. In the lower lobe towards the tip is a shallow u-shaped notch, in the upper top section of the lobe often hidden in a frontal view in the folds is a deep but narrow u-shaped notch. Below this towards the mid lobe a small misshapen v-shaped notch can be seen. The right ear has less distinctive notches, in the lower lobe is a wide very shallow scooped shaped notch. Towards the top of the lobe, a deeper u-shaped notch not visible from a frontal view. Kukura’s trunk has developed a few scared areas, most notably thickened nodules between the tusks at the lip line level and slightly below.
General: The first submission of this bull was made in 2015 by ex-regional ranger Louis Olivier (see Mandleve) in the Bangu area of the Kruger National Park, at the time his tusks were not significant enough to considering naming him and it was decided to monitor him. No significant change was observed by late 2018 when he was under review for renaming.
However a number of submissions made in early 2019 with the most significant and clear one being on the SANParks Forum by Marj Atkins showed exponential growth in the bull’s ivory. At this stage it was decided after consultation with the naming committee that due to the development to put the bull forward for naming. Sightings of this bull continue to increase as he develops with him being a popular sighting in the central region. "

An other one, dated from 8 months, about the same elephant and explaining the nature of "submissions" making him labelled as a big tusker:

" Kukura is Shona meaning “growing” referring to the speed at which this bulls tusks developed from Emerging to Larger Tusker status in a short space of time.
His Range is Northern Satara/Letaba. This bull predominates the northern central region but has been recorded as far north as Letaba.

Kukura has tusks that are fairly symmetrical with the right tusk curved slightly higher than the left. The ivory is also on the thinner side when compared to other large bulls. This bull is quiet distinctive in that the left ear is partially floppy. In addition to the partial floppy nature of the left ear with a tendency to fold backwards there are a few notable notches. In the lower lobe towards the tip is a shallow u-shaped notch, in the upper top section of the lobe often hidden in a frontal view in the folds is a deep but narrow u-shaped notch. Below this towards the mid lobe a small misshapen v-shaped notch can be seen. The right ear has less distinctive notches, in the lower lobe is a wide very shallow scooped shaped notch. Towards the top of the lobe, a deeper u-shaped notch not visible from a frontal view. Kukura’s trunk has developed a few scared areas, most notably thickened nodules between the tusks at the lip line level and slightly below.

The first submission of this bull was made in 2015 by ex-regional ranger Louis Olivier (see Mandleve) in the Bangu area of the Kruger National Park, at the time his tusks were not significant enough to considering naming him and it was decided to monitor him. No significant change was observed by late 2018 when he was under review for renaming.
However a number of submissions made in early 2019 with the most significant and clear one being on the SANParks Forum by Marj Atkins showed exponential growth in the bull’s ivory. At this stage it was decided after consultation with the naming committee that due to the development to put the bull forward for naming. Sightings of this bull continue to increase as he develops with him being a popular sighting in the central region. "

Spalea · 10-25-2023, 05:50 PM

Sad news: death of a great tusker in the Kruger National Park... RIP.

" As informed by Mooiplaas Section Ranger Joe Nkuna and confirmed by Interpretive Officer Kirsty Redman of South African National Parks one of the largest Elephant Tuskers in Kruger National Park has died.
Kirsty Redman wrote: “Just to update you the process of confirming the info on N’watindlopfu has been completed I have requested an update to the website which will hopefully be done soon. Sadly through the tusk markings we have been able to confirm the carcass was him.”

Below is the tusk info for your information.
TUSK DATA: Left: Right:
Length: 253cm 268cm
Mass: 64.8kg 62.75kg
Circumference at Lip (cm) 54.5cm 54cm

His carcass was found end of May 2023 close to Grootvlei Dam in the North of Kruger National park, South Africa
No foal play suspected
His tusks were still intact and he probably died of natural causes
This is stock footage of him filmed around December 2020 at Boyela waterhole north of Shingwedzi Rest camp.
A formal notification from SANParks will shortly include information about the elephants age and precise cause of death.
We'll keep you up to date.

Origin of Name: N’watindlopfu spruit in the Kruger National Park meaning ‘spruit of the elephants’ in Tsonga and refers to the historical site where in 1987 a striking and relatively well preserved panel of rock paintings depicting a group of four elephants on a small granite koppie alongside this spruit was found. The is reference to the proof of the early existence of elephants in the Kruger National Park and therefore links to the great discover that was this bulls sudden appearance as a large tusker.
Range: Far Northern KNP.
Special Features: Small u&v-shaped notches in the right ear throughout the lobe. A larger u & v-shaped nick is present in the upper part of the same lobe. The left lobe has more distinct markings and when fully open an inverted wide u-shape is visible in the middle of the lobe. In the lower level of the lobe small u&v-shaped notches are visible. N’watindlopfu has a very slightly thickened area of skin on the upper and middle regions of his trunk. There is a small elongated growth on the upper front thigh that is visible from his left side. His ivory is what would be referred to as the typical Kruger shape with one tusk long and straighter then a slightly shorter more curved tusk curving at different levels. In his case the right tusk is the straighter and shows indication of an old chip off the tip.
General:This large bull had an interesting start in the tuskers project, a sighting on the 31st July 2014 initially created great confusion as to an ID on such an impressive bull due to an unclear location and similarities to other known bulls. Through back-tracking it was established that he was seen north of Shingwedzi towards Babalala and it was confirmed as we had suspected that we had a new tusker. Further submissions by regular contributors in quick succession recently close to Babalala with clear images of the left ear markings and tusks confirmed this bull as a new tusker to the area. This bull seems to prefer being out of the limelight which is perhaps why it took so long to find him."

AWWolf99 · 11-10-2023, 09:05 PM

Lectures of Dr. Raman Sukumar on various topics pertaining to elephants. A renowned wildlife conservationist and expert on Elephants.

"ELEPHANTS, EMPIRE AND ECOLOGY IN ANCIENT INDIA". He talks about role of elephants in Indian culture and History.

Gajatame and Ganesha: The Sacred Elephant of Ancient India

TheHyenid76 · 12-19-2023, 01:49 PM

Images of male Asian elephants with tusks from the two books of Dr Raman Sukumar. "The Asian Elephant" & "The Living Elephants"

*This image is copyright of its original author

TheHyenid76 · 12-19-2023, 04:53 PM

Images of wild and (a few) captive African elephants from "The Natural History of the African Elephant" by Sylvia K. Sykes

*This image is copyright of its original author

afortich · 01-10-2024, 11:14 PM

Spalea · 01-18-2024, 05:12 AM

I am bummed... These scums respect nothing.

We are not your trophy!! Heartbreaking news from Tanzania. Two 100 pounder tuskers were killed by trophy hunters in Enduimet Wildlife Managment Area on the international border of Kenya and Tanzania. They later on burnt their bodies so no one could identify them. We need answers from the government of Tanzania. It’s 2024 and Tanzania still allows trophy hunting. We humans are the most dangerous species on this planet. We kill innocent animals just for pleasure.

*This image is copyright of its original author

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