Older Male Elephants
Older Male Elephants

Recent research on African older male elephants shows that older male elephants have a key role in sharing and inheriting the ecological knowledge to their young ones.

Contrary to this finding, previously, the older males were considered to be alone and had almost zero social life.

In elephant society, the female head aka matriarchs in the female herd of the elephants are important because of their experience and knowledge. Matriarchs take care of their daughters and their calves. On the other hand, older bull males have to leave the herd after they become mature.

The study, shows as matriarchs play a vital role in the survival of the elephant family, similarly, older male elephants also have an imperative part to play. Mature elephants lead young ones.

The study shows that the deaths of older male elephants because of pouching or illegal hunting can lead to a disastrous effect on the survival of the elephant family.

The study was published in the journal Scientific reports suggested that male elephants had a similar key role in the male elephant society as matriarchs had in the female herd.

The scientists have studied the behavior of 1250 African bush elephants who were commuting from Boteti River, Botswana. After the installment of the cameras on their routes, they have drawn these conclusions.

Firstly, the males often lead their young ones while commuting from one place to another.

Secondly, lone males who are grown in age are experienced and erudite in ecological and geographical knowledge. So, they take the riskier paths and lead the young ones.

Lastly, the rumor about the male being useless was because of trophy hunting. This study has refuted all these false accusations and concluded that older males are vital for the survival of the herd.

According to Professor Darren Croft from the University of the Exeter, the older male elephants act as repositories for the next generations.


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ShahiD Ali
Ali is an M.Phil Scholar and an enthusiastic content writer with a keen interest in graphic designing with two years of experience in writing web articles, blog posts, essays, news reports on science, health, fitness, diet, psychology, How-To blogs, dating, sports, recreation, agriculture, education, and much more.