A fascinating study by Indian scientists reveals that Asian elephants have a unique way of mourning and burying their dead calves, displaying behavior that is eerily similar to human funeral rites.
Each herd was observed carrying the deceased calf by the trunk and legs before burying it in the earth with its legs facing upward, a ritual that was captured through opportunistic observation, digital photography, fieldnotes, and postmortem examination reports.
The study noted that the carcasses were buried in an abnormal recumbent style, regardless of the cause of the calf’s death. In one instance, the herd loudly roared and trumpeted around the buried calf, adding to the emotional depth of the ritual.
Interestingly, the study found that only calves are carried away for burial, as it is not feasible for the herds to transport heavier adult elephants in the same manner.
2024-03-02 02:00:04
Link from phys.org