Elephants: How the loss of matriarchs fractures a society

Elephants: How the loss of matriarchs fractures a society

It’s increasingly acknowledged that animals have cultures within which they live their daily lives. This is particularly true for elephants, and the loss of matriarchs is leading to severe social disruption. It’s a crisis for elephant culture across Africa and Asia.

When the elders fall silent — how the loss of elephant matriarchs fractures a society

By Don Pinnock - Daily Maverick From bees to whales, it’s increasingly acknowledged that creatures have cultures within which they live their daily lives. This is particularly true for elephants, and the loss of matriarchs is leading to severe social disruption. It’s a crisis for elephant culture across Africa and Asia. Knowledge among elephants is passed through the footsteps and memories of their elders using vocalisations, vibrations and chem…