by Anura Guruge
on June 11, 2024
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I am 100% sure that there is SOMETHING to this study & story, i.e., it is not a total fabrication.
In my youth, growing up in Ceylon, I was no stranger to elephants.
Yes, elephants — to be SPECIFIC, INDIAN elephants — are very smart. Much smarter than dogs (which makes sense since they do have a bigger brain). We know (& can attest) that dogs will get to know their name & recognize a small repertoire of words (like ‘walk’, ‘dinner’). So, I am sure elephants do have a vocabulary.
But, we need some MORE parameters to this story.
When they say ‘each other’ I am FAIRLY CERTAIN that this per HERD. Female elephants are herd animals. So, I am sure what ‘naming’ they have is herd-specific. What do we know about cross herd naming. So, that is my first question.
What happens to the sound/name when an elephant dies? Does it get used again? If so, after how long?
Herds aren’t that big. So, how many sounds/names are we talking about?
How is a sound/name assigned to baby elephants? When, i.e., how old? How long before they learn it.
So, this is a good start BUT I want to know more. SMILE.
