Social organisation in translocated juvenile African elephants; the dominance hierarchy and an intriguing behaviour

Abstract

Five groups of penned and four groups of free ranging translocated juvenile African elephants were studied to assess: the establishment of a dominance hierarchy, whether this heirarchy is transitive, and whether their dominance can be measured by the direction of aggressive and submissive behaviour. The relationship between the behaviour 'trunk-over-back' and dominance was investigated. In two penned and three free ranging groups there was a negative correlation between the ranks of 'aggressor' and 'recipient of aggression' and one group showed similar patterns when the data was analysed by sex. In two penned and three free ranging groups there was a positive correlation between the ranks of 'aggressor' and 'recipient of submissive behaviour'. 'Trunk over back' was shown mainly by males, or by the most dominant individual in a group. Trunk-mouth-contact was seen mainly within the context of play and play-fighting. It is suggested that this behaviour is one of appeasement to reduce aggressive motivation and prevent it from escalating to harmful levels, and that it is ritualized.