New discovery: Elephants use their own names to call each other
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have revealed that elephants call each other by names they have given themselves. This discovery was made using artificial intelligence algorithms, shedding light on the complex communication system of these majestic creatures.
Researchers applied artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze the voices of two herds of African savanna elephants in Kenya. Their analysis found that elephants use distinct sounds to recognize and address each other, a trait that sets them apart from other animals. While dolphins and parrots are known for their ability to imitate the sounds of their own species, elephants are the first animals other than humans identified to use unique names that do not involve imitation.
Published on June 10, the study by an international team of researchers demonstrated how elephants use specific sounds to identify individuals. Michael Pardo, lead author of the study, explains: “This study shows that not only do elephants use sounds that are specific to each individual, but also that they recognize and respond to their own calls while ignoring them. ignore sounds directed at others.”
The research team analyzed elephant voice recordings from Samburu National Reserve and Amboseli National Park in Kenya, spanning from 1986 to 2022. Using machine learning algorithms, they identified received 469 separate calls, of which 101 elephants vocalized and 117 responded. Elephants make a variety of sounds, from roaring to low-frequency rumbles that humans cannot hear.
Elephants do not always use names when calling each other. Calling usually occurs at a distance or when adult elephants call to baby elephants. Adults tend to use names more often than adolescents, which suggests that mastering this particular skill may take several years.
According to research published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, when researchers played recordings of family members calling each other, the elephants responded positively and enthusiastically. In contrast, they were less responsive to calls directed at other elephants. This indicates that elephants and humans are among the few species that can call each other’s names instead of just imitating sounds.
The researchers believe that further studies are needed to explore the evolutionary origins of this naming ability. Elephants’ ancestors diverged from primates and other vertebrates about 90 million years ago, making this discovery even more intriguing.
This remarkable discovery not only advances our understanding of elephant communication but also highlights their complex social behaviors, which are comparable to human interactions.
