Do elephants really never forget

A.� Well, this famous saying has recently gained scientific backing. A study of elephants in Kenya has revealed that, yes; some elephants do display a memory.

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Q.� Do all elephants have a memory

A.� No, it seems that only the matriarchs, the older, dominant, female elephants that lead the herd, have one. They build-up a social memory as they get older, allowing them to recognise 'friendly' faces.

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Q.� Why do these particular elephants have a memory

A.� As the matriarchs are older, they are also more experienced. This experience allows them to recognise old friends from unfamiliar animals that may pose a threat by their smell or contact calls. Elephants use infrasound (very low frequency sounds that people can't hear) to communicate with other elephants up to 8 kilometres away.

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The other members of the group can concentrate on rearing the young in safety: the study revealed a link between groups with the more experienced matriarch and large numbers of off spring.

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Q.� What happens when the matriarch sees an unfamiliar face

A.� The family members of the group form a defensive bunch to protect their young.

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Q.� What social units do elephants form

A.� Typically, the matriarch grandmother and a number of her daughters and granddaughters.

Male African elephants leave the family units at an early age, around�ten-years-old, and remain single or live in small bachelor groups.

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Q.� So, with this ability elephants should be really safe

A.� From natural predators yes, but it doesn't save them from human poachers, who tend to kill the bigger, older elephants, that the group depends on so heavily. If the matriarch is killed then only time allows her vast experience to be gained by another female, making the group vulnerable.

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Do you want to know if there is a basis behind any famous animal saying Click here to ask.

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by Lisa Cardy