Trunk-Nudge

A mother, or allomother, using the trunk to nudge an infant or calf awake, as when she or the group is ready to depart.

References: Poole & Granli 2021. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Calf Reassurance & Protection

Trunk-Nudge

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (1)

Little E is 7 days old and is sleeping. The adults around him are ready to depart and try to wake with with a series of Foot-Nudges and Trunk-Nudges. Eventually he responds and gets up. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Nudge

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (2)

Malati is in the foreground with the wonky tusks. In the background is her infant granddaughter, belonging to Marshmallow. There are three allomothers trying to wake the infant up. They spend 14 minutes trying to get the infant up using a combination of Trunk-Nudges, Foot-Nudges and Lifting techniques using the feet and trunk. It is tricky to see what exactly is taking place and so we have not marked any of these actions with circles. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Trunk-Nudge

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (3)

Noyeau's newborn Lies-Down, but a juvenile female allomother doesn't let him Rest, Nudging him with her trunk and feet until he gets up again. We see this behavior a lot with allomothers - as if they concerned that the infant is in some sort of danger if lying down. (Amboseli, Kenya)