Why elephants should follow the grandparents: 12-08-2008
Researchers in Tanzania believe they have proven the theory that an elephant never, or at least rarely, forgets.
According to the study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Zoological Society of London, herds of elephants rely on the older members of the group to guide them to water in times of drought.
The study found that older elephants, who had lived though hard times before, remembered the locations of water sources years after they last had to use them.
It found that those herds led by older elephants had a better survival rate than those led by youngsters.
Wildlife Conservation Society's Dr Charles Foley hopes the research will help protect older elephants from poachers.
"Hopefully, this study underlines the importance of how crucial older matriarchs are to the health of the elephant populations," he said.
Adventure travellers visiting Tanzania can expect to see elephants in the Serengeti Plain, while the country is also home to 130 amphibian and 275 reptile species.
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