Elephants imitate truck noises, other animals
Elephants learn to imitate sounds that are not typical of their species, the first known example after humans of vocal learning in a non-primate terrestrial mammal. The discovery, reported in today's Nature, further supports the idea that vocal learning is important for maintaining individual social relationships among animals that separate and reunite over time, like dolphins and whales, some bi...Elephants imitate sounds as a form of social communication
Elephants learn to imitate sounds that are not typical of their species, the first known example after humans of vocal learning in a non-primate terrestrial mammal. The discovery, reported in today's Nature, further supports the idea that vocal learning is important for maintaining individual social relationships among animals that separate and reunite over time, like dolphins and whales, some bi...New partnership to clear landmines for African Elephants
A region made impassable by civil war in recent decades will be cleared of landmines to allow huge elephant herds to resume their normal spread in southern Africa, Roots of Peace (RoP) and Conservation International (CI) announced today. The U.S.-based non-profit organizations are partners in a project to remove landmines sown during Angola's 26-year civil war from critical access corridor...Male elephants woo females with precise chemistry
The exact chemical blend of a pheromone emitted by older male elephants in musth influences both a female elephant's interest in mating and how other surrounding elephants behave, a new study has found. The researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Auckland in New Zealand say the release of a specific proportion of two mirror images of the pheromone, fron...Genetic analysis of Asian elephants in India reveals some surprises
Researchers in India and from The Earth Institute at Columbia University have discovered that one of the few remaining populations of Asian elephants in India is actually two genetically distinct groups. The results of the study, which appear in the current issue of the journal Animal Conservation, could have far-reaching implications in conservation plans for the endangered elephants as well as...Dancing with elephants requires nifty footwork
European conference, I...The Chemistry Of Sexual Attraction Between Male And Female Elephants
A novel study conducted at Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Auckland in New Zealand has revealed that a perfect molecular mixture present in male-emitted pheromone // in musth (an annual period of sexual activity and increased aggression) dictates the sexual behavior of other surrounding male competitors and influences the female elephants mating interest. Th...New Health care Plans to Leave NHS with 'White Elephants'
A new report has revealed that the billions of pounds being spent on hospitals for the NHS will not be suitable for the new plans for the patterns of care.// The report has claimed that the NHS could be left with "white elephants", huge hospitals that would take 30 years to pay off, when the present plans for the future of healthcare lay with smaller, flexible units closer to where pe...Free health check-ups for captive elephants
A group of veterinarians in India have initiated a unique project that aims at providing free health check-ups to captive elephants through mobile clinics. // Conceptualised by a team of veterinarians under the guidance of Jacob V. Cheeran, the project is supported by two Bangalore based NGOs - Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF) and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA). <b...