Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Elephants Know Who to Trust

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2007 7:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Elephants apparently never forget a smell or clothing, at least when it comes to spotting their human hunters, researchers have discovered. Pachyderms in a study remained calm near members of an African community who had not harmed them, but instantly shied from those in a tribe who hunted them. It's believed to be the first time wild animals have revealed an ability to distinguish among different groups of a species based on the threats they pose, scientists said.

Researchers determined that the elephants based their actions on different body scents as well as distinguishing between trademark colors worn by the different groups, according to the study in Current Biology. The findings may help scientists devise ways to ease increasing conflicts between villagers and elephants, who are being squeezed out of habitats and have attacked communities.

Nosing around.
Nosing around.   ((c) aj82)
A herd of elephants walk backdropped by Mt. Kilimanjaro in Kenya.
A herd of elephants walk backdropped by Mt. Kilimanjaro in Kenya.   (Associated Press)
A herd of wild elephants play in a wetland.
A herd of wild elephants play in a wetland.   (Associated Press)
Elephants frolic in a pool.
Elephants frolic in a pool.   (Associated Press)
What a pair.
What a pair.   ((c) thost)
Elephants in Botswana.
Elephants in Botswana.   ((c) i_pinz)
Here's looking at you, humans.
Here's looking at you, humans.   ((c) The Dilly Lama)
Checking things out.
Checking things out.   ((c) aj82)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Deforestation Could Wipe Out Sumatran Elephants

Croc Takes on Elephant

Elephant Rampage Kills 1 in India

Attacks by Elephants, Tigers Rise in India

Elephants on Verge of Extinction


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne