Sound the Alarm!
Posted at 10:36 am October 6, 2008 by Emily Rothwell
It is always exciting to recognize natural behaviors in zoo animals, such as our African elephant herd at the Wild Animal Park. Although our elephants live in Southern California, rather than Africa, they still display behaviors that they would use in the wild. I observed such behavior last week and would like to share with you.
As some of you have seen and commented, wild mule deer will occasionally wander in and out of the elephant enclosure. This is not a concern because the interactions between the animals are friendly, and they mostly pay little attention to one another. However, one morning, a deer crept close to little Khosi without her noticing. Boy, was she surprised! When she turned around and saw the deer, she gave a “trumpet” alarm, which sounds much like the instrument it is named after (see blog Elephant Herd Welcomes New Baby). She also “charged” at the deer, running toward it with her ears spread wide. This is a behavior seen in the wild when elephants are warding off predators such as lions. Most of the time a charge is just for show and the elephant will stop short while running and wait for the predator to retreat. In this case Khosi’s strategy was effective and the deer quickly turned and ran out of the yard.
However, this was not the end of the story for the elephants. When Khosi sounded the trumpet, all of the other animals became alert to the situation. Khosi’s mother, Umngani, responded with a trumpet call of her own as well as a low rumbling call. These served as a signal to the rest of the adult females, and Ndula, Samba, Lungile, and Swazi quickly gathered near Khosi and Umngani. Punga and Kamile were not left far behind, as they knew what these calls mean and they hurried to be with their mothers and aunts. Once together, our herd created a “defensive circle” in which the females form a circle with their backsides in the middle and fronts facing outward with the calves tucked inside the circle for protection. They look like the old western covered wagons when they form a circle while under attack. The females continued rumbling while holding their heads high and ears spread out to be on the watch for danger. They held their position for a few minutes until it was presumed safe to disperse and continue their daily morning activities about the yard.
The deer was no threat to the herd, and it seems most likely that the adult females were not aware of why Khosi had trumpeted. However, they responded to her alarm anyway. Because our herd does not have to worry about predators, you may think that they would eliminate such protective and defensive behavior, but it is very instinctual. It seems our moms are protecting their calves with the same seriousness as their wild relatives in Africa, and they are doing a great job!
Emily Rothwell is a Heller Fellow Research Associate with the San Diego Zoo’s Behavioral Biology Division.
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October 6th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Thank you for letting us know that khosi can take care of herself, because when I wrote you that there was a dog or deer in the inclosure, I was real worried about maybe a dog attacking one of the babies, that why I said to call spca. Now I feel much better that the mommas came to khosi’s rescue. It is so amazing how they do take care of the babies and themselves, I am proud of them. Thanks so much all of you Zoo workers! Betsy in PA
October 6th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Hi Emily!
Thank you so much for your sharing of this observation. We have been privileged also to see this amazing and wonderful protective behavior a couple of times on our visits to the WAP. Once when there was a small brush fire on a hill across the valley when all their trunks were up in a line with the babies sequestered behind. They were having quite a rumbling conversation among themselves and fortunately that time the fire held no danger and was put out in a short time. It takes your breath away to see these giants and their gentleness with those little ones. Leave it to Khosi to stir things up. She is such a little imp. I hope Musi has lessened his harassing of Khosi, he has needed a few time outs. LOL
This is what we love so much about the WAP–the ability to observe our precious animals and their natural behaviors in the large enclosures. Precious are the keepers and veterinarians who care for them too.
Blessed Be With Love, Judy J
October 6th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Great observations on how animals interact. Keep up the good work.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Thanks, Emily. That sounds very exciting! I would really like to see something like that with my own eyes. It is good to know that even though you might take the animal out of the jungle – you don’t take the jungle out of the animal! They still have their survival and protective instincts.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Thanks Emily for a most educational and entertaining account of Khosi’s encounter with the mule deer. It is wonderful to know that she and the rest of the heard know how to act instinctually, and that even though they are safe in their ” captive” environment, they still react naturally when called upon to do so. That was great enrichment (albeit quite natural) for all of them.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Thanks for keeping us up to date. What did Musi do? I rember him stalking a duck or goose when he was younger.
October 6th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
No wonder that the world loves elephants and the unsurpassed protection and care they give their young.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Awww, poor baby girl! Sounds like it scared her half to death. I sent her a e-hug
October 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
how interesting and funny that Khosi’s startled alarm alerted the whole herd of possible danger, and all responded as if they were still in the wild! it is engraved in their ancestry and their roots! elephants are so intelligent and have remarkable memories and great family history. little Khosi reacted as any small child would who was startled or frightened by trumpeting!!! ( can’t scream ) how lucky for you to have witnessed this!!!!……………thanks for sharing!!!!!
October 10th, 2008 at 4:04 am
aww to cute!! I love elephants I think they are the most sensitive creature…