Elephant Calf Learning to Eat Grass ElephantListenProj 2017-05-16 | Here, an infant elephant attempts to consume grass, perhaps for the first time. At first she repeatedly lowers her trunk to the ground, brings it up to her mouth empty, and moves it around her mouth looking confused as to why there is no food in it. She then wraps her trunk around some grass and attempts to yank it out of the ground but gets frustrated and tries to graze while on her knees, using only her mouth. She is likely either mimicking the behavior of adults around her or engaging in trial and error learning.
Aida - complex behaviors ElephantListenProj 2022-02-01 | Here we have Aida and her newborn, AidaIV! Notice How Aida turns carefully so as to not step on the baby.
Aida - the influence of males ElephantListenProj 2022-02-01 | An interesting example of female-female dominance and how males can influence interactions. At the start of this sequence, AidaII, who is in estrous, is standing near Thick Right, an adult bull in musth. She then walks toward a mineral pit where the Dorkus family is drinking. An interesting testing sequence ensues with lots of smelling with extended trunks - very likely more elaborate than might be typical because AidaII is in estrous. But in the end, DorcusI resumes possession of the mineral pit and AidaII backs off. All of this time Thick Right mostly stands quietly, contemplating who knows what.As the video continues, AidaII begins to walk north and Thick Right immediately follows her - typical of a male guarding a fertile female. But once AidaII goes a few dozen meters, she turns around again and starts back toward Dorkus. Notice that AidaII is flapping her ears quite frequently as she leaves Thick Right - ear-flapping often accompanies rumble vocalizations. Is AidaII trying to make sure that Thick Right is paying attention? Eventually the male does move in her direction, and it is interesting that until this point in the sequence, AidaII was keeping a bit of distance from DorkusI. But once Thick Right is on his way, DorkusI becomes alert and stops drinking, AidaII moves closer to the pit, and as Thick Right gets close, DorkusI gives up possession of the pit and AidaII gets what she wanted all along. We don't really know, but could the initial 'retreat' of AidaII been a strategy to get the adult male moving and paying attention only so that she could then bring him back to influence her access to the resource she wanted?
Penny - learning from grandma ElephantListenProj 2021-10-05 | Little Penny is with her grandmother, Penelope I, in a pit (Penny's mom, Penelope II is just behind). Penny stands under her grandmother's chest noodling her trunk around and rubbing. Eventually Penny decides to chek out what grandma is drinking. She tries to squeeze between Penelope's legs but settles on going around. She tries to get her trunk into the hole next to Penelope's, but to no avail.
PenelopeII - mother in training ElephantListenProj 2021-10-05 | Penny is sleeping in the bai. Her mother, Penelope II does not want to leave but she is displaced by Circe I. Circe gently shoves Penny, smells her, and shoves her again. As Penny wakes up she is kicked by Circe. Circe continues to harass Penny as the other Penelopes become alarmed. Penny screams which brings the Penelope family over to scare off Circe. Penny begins to follow but then stays back with her family.
Tools of the Trade - ELP Vlog Episode 1 ElephantListenProj 2021-07-20 | Elephant Listening Project VLOG Episode 1Created by Matthew MilwardBackground music:Minimal AFRICAN Background Instrumental | Royalty Free MusicAccralate - The Dark Contenent by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...Artist: http://incompetech.com
VOW: Rough-housing ElephantListenProj 2019-10-16 | Siblings and friends play a lot when they are very young and that is no different for these two! Watch below at this duo and how they continue to mess with each other until an adult decides enough is enough.Check out more videos and information about our cause at facebook.com/ElephantListeningProject
VOW: Wet or Dry? ElephantListenProj 2019-10-16 | Do you prefer your showers wet or dry? You can often see forest elephants showering themselves with water and/or with dirt. While it may be clear that showering with water is a way to keep cool in the hot weather of Africa, why do elephants douse themselves with dirt? Just like we apply sunscreen and bug spray, dirt is a natural way to prevent sunburn and to keep bugs away!Watch below as some elephants demonstrate their preferred methods of 'showering'. Check out more videos and information about our cause at facebook.com/ElephantListeningProject
VOW: Following ElephantListenProj 2019-10-16 | Just as babies keep close and follow their mom, we love and appreciate all of those who follow and support our cause!Check out more videos and information about our cause at facebook.com/ElephantListeningProjectHelp ELP by donating or adopting at elephantlisteningproject.org/help-elp
VOW: Upbeat ElephantListenProj 2019-10-16 | From young to old, these elephants spend their lives in the forest and at the bai amongst friends, family, and foes. Watch below to see what some elephants do while spending time at Dzanga.Check out more videos and information about our cause at facebook.com/ElephantListeningProject
VOW: Sleepy ElephantListenProj 2019-10-16 | It's hump day, and just like these infants, we're definitely feeling it! Enjoy these sleepy babies as we all count down the days until the weekend!Check out more videos and information about our cause at facebook.com/ElephantListeningProject
VOW: Chasing ElephantListenProj 2019-10-16 | Some of us never grow out of some habits, and some elephants don't either! Watch below to see how both an infant and adult have the same mischievous tendencies, even years apart!Check out more videos and information about our cause at facebook.com/ElephantListeningProject
VOW Splash N Play ElephantListenProj 2019-10-02 | The best way to cool down on a hot day? Splashing around of course!Check out these infants as they splash and lay in the water at the Dzanga bai in Central Africa.
VOW Gavra Loses Family ElephantListenProj 2019-10-02 | You know the feeling when you’re in the grocery store with your family and you turn around and they’ve disappeared? Watch below as little Gavra IV turns around and realizes his family is gone (but not for long).
Rainbows at Night ElephantListenProj 2019-04-09 | We're back at it with videos of the week! Just a short one this time using one of our thermal cameras. The heat signatures fill the night with color! You’ll notice that the calf radiates more heat than the older elephants, while the edges of their ears are quite chilly!
Kerplop ElephantListenProj 2019-03-12 | For a mid-week pick me up, have a calf that just won’t stand up! We get it: sometimes, all we want to do is flop face-first on a horizontal surface and take a break, too. Wishing you the energy to get through the rest of the week!
Peekaboo ElephantListenProj 2019-03-05 | This calf is determined to have some fun, even when she’s by herself! Forgive the shaky camera at the beginning (our very professional researcher, Ana Verahrami, couldn’t stop herself from laughing — we hope this video puts a smile on your face today, too!).
Dzanga-Ndoki Water Park ElephantListenProj 2019-03-05 | We could say something about wishing for warmer weather or treating yourself to a nice bath, but really there’s no excuse for sharing these sweet elephants playing around — we just thought they were adorable! Hope this can help brighten your week!
Hello from the Dzanga side ElephantListenProj 2019-02-19 | Just like how humans greet each other with hello’s and hugs, elephants employ a special ritual as well. Often this involves physical contact, with elephants pressing their heads or sides against each other, rapid ear-flapping, and even mouth-testing, where one elephant places their trunk inside another’s mouth. It’s incredible that elephants are able to recognize each other even after months to years apart!
Following Elodie II(II) ElephantListenProj 2019-02-05 | Elodie II and her son spent a good amount of time at Dzanga bai in 2015 and 2016. In this video we get to see her baby, only a year old, goof off and spend time with his family. Perhaps they wandered to some other forest clearings, which is why we haven’t seen them in a while. We like to think that Elodie II(II) is still getting spoiled by his extended family and rolling around in the mud, and hope that sometime soon he’ll come back to Dzanga bai!
Its a... boy! ElephantListenProj 2019-02-05 | Meet the youngest member of the Elodie family! He was born in the last week of December in 2014. Andrea Turkalo caught several videos of him adjusting to the world with his mom, grandma, and aunties! We've been fortunate to see him a few times since then — stay tuned for more Elodie II(II) action next week!
Creatures of the Night ElephantListenProj 2019-01-29 | In the past several years elephants in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (and many other areas) have started frequenting the bai at night. This behavior is linked with increased human activities such as poaching and oil drilling. ELP has used thermal and infrared cameras to capture what these smarties are up to in the cover of darkness.
Meanie Mom ElephantListenProj 2018-12-11 | This week's video includes commentary by Andrea Turkalo, who studied African forest elephants for 27 years. Based on her observations, elephant mothers are reluctant to share things with their offspring, especially when it comes to the mineral-rich water that they extract from below the surface. Competition for these precious minerals is tough among family members, let alone unrelated individuals. However, this does not stop Kinktail's calf from trying to get its share!
Grass-eating demo ElephantListenProj 2018-12-11 | If you're an elephant, one of the things you must learn is how to eat grass, and this young male gives us a close-up demo of how it's done. He uses his powerful trunk to rip out a clump of grass, shakes the dirt off when necessary, then stuffs the small grass bundle into his mouth. For very young elephants, there is a learning curve when imitating their elders, and they may end up munching on a clump of dirt instead of tasty green grass (watch the baby at the end!).
Sunrise at Dzanga Bai ElephantListenProj 2018-12-11 | It’s 6:30 in the morning at Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in Central Africa. The sun is rising, and several elephants are already out and about in the forest clearing, ready to start their day. Unmute to hear lively morning sounds of the African forest and earthy, deep elephant rumbles!
Itchy Ettie ElephantListenProj 2018-12-11 | We're not sure if little Ettie is scratching an itch or showing affection as she rubs against her aunt's leg. Whatever she is doing, it seems to feel good! Mom Etta is probably only a few steps away, keeping an eye on things while her sister is drinking from a water hole. The two sisters are frequently seen together, sharing a strong bond that is common in elephant families.
Family reunion ElephantListenProj 2018-12-11 | Elephants can get very excited when meeting family members that they have not seen in a while. They'll trumpet and rumble, flap their ears, and extend their trunks as they run towards each other. In all the excitement, they often urinate or defecate during the greeting. The sounds and sights of an elephant reunion seem to convey pure joy!This group is part of the tuskless family that often visits the forest clearing. Some members of this family have no tusks, while others do (tusks are useful tools for elephants but not required for survival).
Not Sweater Weather ElephantListenProj 2018-12-05 | Although here in Ithaca the winter is starting to get underway (some of us have already cracked out our snowboots!), Dzanga Ndoki National Park is entering the dry season — looks like it will be 80°F and sunny there today! These clips from past dry months showcase the enviable weather, particularly as little Latona and Bouba try to stay cool.
Birds of the Bai ElephantListenProj 2018-11-07 | Forest clearings are important not only to elephants, but also to many bird species. In addition to the Oxpecker, Egrets, Crowned Eagle, and African Wood Stork featured here, beautiful and endangered African Grey Parrots also make use of the bai.
Oh, Joust? ElephantListenProj 2018-10-03 | These young elephants may seem like they’re just playing around, but they’re also learning the elements of jousting that they will use later in life to win control over resources and reproductive rights. But for now, they’re just being plain silly!
Memories of years ago ElephantListenProj 2018-09-12 | Our mid-week moment of Zen showcases snapshots of the bai three years ago today: dozens of elephants, plenty of young little ones, and lots of sun. It seems like September included a lot of family time and exploration for these elephants! Music: By Grace by Podington Bear (with some changes)
Why cant we be friends? ElephantListenProj 2018-09-01 | Although you usually hear about male elephants jousting over resources or mates, female elephants can get in disagreements too! The females in the first clip may be fighting to protect their families (as we’ve shown before, sometimes baby elephants are kidnapped by other mothers!). In the second clip, a young elephant pushes a female away from a watering hole — and it gets intense!
Trespassing babies ElephantListenProj 2018-08-29 | Sometimes, curious elephant babies wander off a bit too far in the forest clearing and trespass into someone else's space. They might get a stern warning and run off crying, but not to worry; Mom, siblings, and other family members are usually nearby and will rush to the rescue if they hear a baby in distress. (Unmute to hear vocalizations!)
Elephant kiddie pools ElephantListenProj 2018-07-11 | Baby elephants LOVE to play in water puddles of all sizes. We’ve seen them quicken their steps in anticipation and head straight into a tempting puddle along the path. These clever little elephants know how to cool off and have fun at the same time. They can be a bit stubborn when it’s time to get out of the kiddie pool too, like the youngster refusing to let another male juvenile access a drinking hole in the same puddle. Wishing everyone pleasant ways to cool off this summer! Soundtrack at 00:25: Lazy Day (iMovie)
Digging for liquid gold ElephantListenProj 2018-06-29 | Meet Triple Bite, a male elephant about 50 years old, named after three bite-like notches on his ear. At first glance, it looks like he is playfully kicking the water, but there is a purpose for his antics: He is digging a hole that lets him access under-ground water. Elephants drink surface water when thirsty, but to obtain the minerals they need to supplement their diet, they dig deep holes (or use an existing hole) and reach with their trunk far down to an underground, mineral-rich water supply. This water is like an elixir, or liquid gold, for elephants, and it is very common to see elephants lingering at these “mineral pits” for hours at a time. Sometimes male elephants use mineral pit hangouts to test or assert their dominance. For example, we’ve seen a male occupy a popular mineral pit for an entire afternoon, although several other elephants were waiting nearby for their turn. It seemed as if he was daring anyone to challenge him. One of the waiting males finally lost his patience and physically pushed the other male away from the pit. Fortunately, the previously dominant male left without a fuss. Some elephants are more inclined to dig than others, who prefer to let someone else do the work, then conveniently use the mineral pits they leave behind. Lucky for them, the forest clearing is well supplied with mineral pits, thanks to energetic and determined elephants like Triple Bite. Soundtrack: Jaracanda (iMovie)
MudRub ElephantListenProj 2018-06-13 | No appointments necessary at the Dzanga Bai spa! Why is it that young elephants (and people) are SO pleased to find a mud-wallow? (To be honest, adults of both species love it too, but at least elephant adults are not hung up about showing it).
ContactCall ElephantListenProj 2018-06-06 | Many animals use contact calls to check in with their groups when out of sight. In forest elephants these calls are essential for maintaining a complex web of social relationships. We love how this tuskless* elephant seems to pause and listen for a reply before continuing her walk.*This elephant belongs to a family of tuskless elephants that frequents the forest clearing. Although tusks are handy tools for feeding, they may be less critical for survival in females than in males, and elephants without tusks are safer from ivory poachers.
Supermom ElephantListenProj 2018-05-30 | Usually we only see one infant nursing at a time, but here, Supermom Lantana is nursing two of her calves at the same time, one younger than the other. For the first year, babies are dependent on their mothers for nourishment. Weaning is usually completed by the time they are two or three years old. Notice that calves use their mouths when nursing, not their trunks.
Meet Pom, Dzangas Big Tusker ElephantListenProj 2018-05-29 | This is Pom, one of the biggest bulls with the biggest tusks in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. Despite his size, he's a fairly gentle-natured — timid — elephant, which may have helped him survive a poaching massacre back in 2013. We're all glad he pulled through, and hope he stays safe long into the future.
A Jousting Female ElephantListenProj 2018-05-24 | In this video a young female elephant is jousting against a male! His tusks are quite a bit longer than hers, but she manages to fight him off. Male and female jousting bouts are uncommon, but Andrea Turkalo likens it to a 13-year-old girl challenging a younger boy in the schoolyard. Some females have more aggressive personalities than others, too!
A day in the Bai ElephantListenProj 2018-05-24 | Your name (creator of video): Final name of video (if necessary edit the video file name, iMovie project name, this word doc name to match this): Approval status: link sent for approval, awaiting approval, or approved. Clips used (list the Clip IDs): Location of video on the Mac: YouTube status: uploaded or not; unlisted or private YouTube link: Facebook status: uploaded on not; scheduled date Video formats created (.mov, .mp4) Caption for Facebook and YouTube: (NB In Facebook, start the caption with Video of the Week) We have a special treat for you today! The weather may be grey outside (spring hasn't decided to arrive yet for us in Ithaca), so take a tour of Dzanga bai with these friendly forest elephants! Warm wishes, everyone!
Sharing is Caring ElephantListenProj 2018-05-24 | The elephants in this video might need to go back to kindergarten for this easy lesson. Didn't anyone teach them that sharing is caring? It seems that sometimes even family members don't want to share their holes.
Meet the New Kid ElephantListenProj 2018-05-24 | The Dzanga elephant community gathers around to greet Garce IV's new baby in this video. Elephant babies can stand and move around shortly after birth, which helps both mother and child avoid predators while in the forest. You can tell this little one is still a bit unsteady on his feet, though. Fun fact: Baby elephants also weigh around 230 pounds at birth — that's a big baby! Music: bensound.com
Summer Days ElephantListenProj 2018-05-24 | Looks like a hot day in Dzanga bai for these elephants. Now that classes are out at Cornell University, students can relax in the warm sun and cool water just like these guys. Have a great summer, everyone!
Earth Day Elephants ElephantListenProj 2018-05-04 | In honor of this past Earth Day, we just wanted to appreciate and celebrate the magnificent elephants we work for. We strive to make every day an earth day, promoting wildlife conservation and conservation around the world, particularly in these critical rainforests. Thanks to Kai Engel for the soundtrack.
Coexistence and Family ElephantListenProj 2018-03-28 | Just another sweet video for your Wednesday elephant update! Separated from mom, this young elephant hurries towards his family, passing some buffalo along the way. He nuzzles his sibling and mom, Stella, when he reaches them.
