Elephant success
New research shows that elephants develop successful coping mechanisms when returning to the wild from human captivity. In fact, the team found that “rewilded” elephants can fit quite well within wildlife systems and readapt—even after long-term captivity. For the new study, a team from the Elephant Reintegration Trust of South Africa examined the behavioral and physiological responses of 11 formerly-captive elephants which had been released onto four different reserves. For five years each elephant was observed for three weeks at a time at least once annually. The team looked for indicators that the elephants might be uncomfortable in their wild surroundings and for behaviors that might be “hold-overs” from their time in captivity, such as conflict or confrontation.
The findings showed that, overall, rewilded elephants behaved “very similarly” to their wild neighbors. Fecal samples collected to test for signs of metabolic stress showed levels within the normal range for wild elephants. “What I found most fascinating was watching elephants that had spent decades in captivity adapt so successfully to life in the wild,” said co-author Tenisha Roos. “Seeing them respond to their environment and function much like wild elephants was truly awe-inspiring and a powerful reminder of their remarkable resilience, adaptability, and behavioral flexibility.” The differences may reflect their previous captive experiences, social circumstances, environmental conditions, and tourism or management pressures, according to the research team.
The jungle is not always safe for elephants as this fellow found out trying to get a mud bath in a hole that did not have enough water. Thanks to the locals and the Kenya-based Sheldrick Wildlife Trust you will see in the video below. This is elephant conservation in action: moving mountains to save a life and secure a species’ future. Protecting them means working on two fronts: securing the landscapes they call home, and being there the moment something goes wrong. Last year alone, our teams shepherded nearly 400 elephants off farmers’ land and back to safety, attended to 260 elephants for injuries in the field, and supported 17 extractions of elephants trapped in dams, wells, and mud. Shown below is one such operation: a herculean, four-day mission battling time, terrain, and rising tides to pull off one of our most challenging rescues to date. This is elephant conservation in action: moving mountains to save a life and secure a species’ future.
Elephantine Funnies
What do you get when you throw two elephants in the pool?
Swimming trunks.
How would an elephant smell without a trunk?
He would still smell terrible.
What’s the difference between an Indian and an African elephant?
One is an elephant.
Why do elephants not use computers?
Because they’re afraid of mice.
August 20th Birthdays
1975 – Amy Adams , 1996 – Liana Liberato, 1983 – Meghan Ory, 1994 – Kimmy Jimenez
1954 – Al Roker, 1982 – Ben Barnes, 1947 – Lawrence Kudlow, 1935 – Ron Paul