Amazing discovery, elephants also call each other by name

Researchers used artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze the calls of two savanna elephant herds in Kenya. They found that elephants call each other by the unique names they give to their own species.

Apart from humans, elephants are the first animals to use names that are not related to imitation.

Michael Pardo, lead author of the study, said they found elephants use individual-specific sounds that they can recognize and respond to, while ignoring the calls of others.

This means that elephants can determine whether a call is meant to call them or not.

The team used data recorded in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve and Amboseli National Park from 1986 to 2022, which were elephant calls. After analyzing the data using a machine learning algorithm, they identified 469 distinct calls, of which 101 were callers and 117 were call receivers.

Research shows that elephants do not always use names to call each other. They usually use names when they are very far apart and when adults call their babies. In addition, adults tend to use names more than babies. This suggests that it takes many years for elephants to learn this special skill.

Elephants responded positively and enthusiastically when researchers played recordings of elephants calling to family members. But the same elephant did not respond as much when the calls were directed to other elephants.

This suggests that elephants, like humans, are capable of naming each other, rather than simply copying the sounds of the recipient, the researchers say.

Report link: https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jun/10/elephant-names-study-ai