Husky-Cry

A short, hoarse or husky sounding call produced by a newborn elephant when distressed. Husky-Cries range from barely audible, low-intensity sounds that are less than a second long, to surprisingly powerful abrupt and gravelly sounds that may last up to 1.5 seconds. We refer to the softer version as a Low-Intensity-Husky-Cry and the louder type as a High-Intensity-Husky-Cry. These are the first calls produced by newborn elephants and are commonly heard in a group with newly born calf. Family members rapidly come to the aid of the calling infant, touching it and rumbling softly to it with Coo-Rumbles. Infant produced these calls up to about 2 months in age.

References: Poole & Granli 2003; Stoeger-Horwath et al 2007 [Grunt]; Poole 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Birth, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Protest & Distress

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (1)

Walli is feeding on grass with two calves by her side, a newborn and a 5 year old male. The selection starts with the older calf exhibiting Solicit-Suckling and begging with two Grumble-Rumbles and then a softer Grumble-Rumble. Just as he manages to Suckle, Walli moves forward, pushing her body into him in a Reject-Suck and he is thwarted.

Meanwhile her infant also Solicits-Suckling on her left side, but just as she begins Suckling (Double-Suckling), Walli moves forward. The infant runs forward between her legs and she uses front foot to try to guide her back to the safer side. The infant gives a low-intensity Husky-Cry. Walli again walks forward blocking the five year old male and he complains. Then she Reject-Suck-Kick - swinging her back leg out at him unsuccessfully.

The male tries again (giving a Grumble-Rumble and Cry-Grumble-Rumble) and she stops and both suckle (Double-Suckle) - briefly because she then uses both front and hind leg to Reject-Suck-Kick and he gives a very complaining Roar-Grumble-Rumble. She walks on and the 5 year male runs around the back and tries to access from the other side. The newborn sees that male coming and gives two Husky-Cries in quick succession that are beginning to sound like Grumble-Rumbles and Runs-Away. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (2)

Walli and her two calves, a 5 year old male and an infant female are with the family. The 5 year old is standing facing his mother about to Suckle. When his infant sister comes over he turns and reaches out to her in an unfriendly way - as if he is about to Tusk her. She gives a Husky-Cry and then he may even Tusk the infant - at least he Pushes her. She is frightened and gives loud Husky-Cry. She clearly has his number and it is obvious that this has happened before. Their mother does nothing to stop the older male. He goes back to Suckling... The infant then runs to other side and after the end of the clip they double suckle. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (3)

Walli is with her two calves, a 5 year old male and an infant female. The 5 year old is bullying the infant female, attacking her and preventing her from Suckling. She is highly distressed, trying to access the breast, but each time she tries he runs around from the other side and she flees Crying and Roaring.

As the clips starts we see her running forward and giving a Husky-Cry, while he is on the other side as he tries to Suckle. The male comes around on the other side in view and the infant looks terrified - her Chin-Up and ears flattened against her body. She gives another Husky-Cry. And then as he Suckles she gives a Rumble-Roar though this still has Husky-Cry quality to it like a Husky-Cry-Roar. She gives another Husky-Cry and we hear Walli respond with a Rumble - likely a Coo-Rumble and then she Husky-Cries again. Though we can't see what is going on as the filmmaker is adjusting the position of the camera. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (4)

Walli is with her two calves, a 5 year old male and an infant female. The 5 year old is bullying the infant female, attacking her and preventing her from Suckling. She is highly distressed, trying to access the breast, but each time she tries he runs around from the other side and she flees Crying and Roaring.

Just before the clips starts she was Tusked by him and Roared and urinated in distress. We can see that her legs are wet from the urine and she is squatting in a frightened Chin-Up posture as her mother touches her Trunk-to-Genitals. The infant walks forward alone while the 5 year old male continues to Suckle. A teenage male shows some interest her and moves toward her. She squats down again Chin-Up and gives a Husky-Cry followed by a louder Husky-Cry. The male sniffs casually toward her but doesn't offer consolation.

The infant starts to circle around back to her mother, but the approach of another individual causes her to squat again in a frightened Chin-Up posture. The individual swings a Trunk-Toward her and she heads toward Walli and her brother who is still Suckling. The male sees her and stops Suckling to threaten her and she gives a Husky-Cry in distress. All three walk forward. The male rushes to Walli's other side to try to Suckle again there and we see the infant Look-Back with concern. She is afraid of him.

Walli pauses to Browse and the infant backs toward her. She stands with Ears-Stiff, frightened. The 5 year old male sees her, stops Suckling and turns toward her and Reaches-Over her back and presses his tusks into her back aggressively. She gives two back-to-back Husky-Cries in protest. She runs forward, stops, squats and gives a drawn out Husky-Cry. The 5 year old goes back to Suckling and the infant goes over to the teenage male, who is likely also an older sibling and is behind Walli. Then she carefully moves toward Walli's right breast and tries to Suckle. The male is aware of what she is doing and appears to swing his trunk as her at her from his side. Walli moves to prevent him and he complains with a soft Grumble-Rumble. The infant seems to be concerned that he is coming and Roars and runs forward. She is correct. He leaves his side and runs around behind his mother to her side as she moves quickly forward. She squats again with Chin-Up and Trunk-Curled-Under and Looking-Back clearly expecting trouble. He leaves his mother's breast and runs at her, Ramming her, Tusking her and knocking her down and pinning her in place by holding her around her head with his trunk. She Roars, Husky-Cries and Roars again in quick succession and Walli rushes over to intervene, but does little. The teenage male comes running over, too, but also seems clueless.

The elephants disappear behind a bush and we hear the infant Husky-Cry. She reappears on the other side; we can see she is squatting and she gives another Husky-Cry. The camera pans out and reveals the infant with her mother. As her mother's trunk almost touches her she gives another Husky-Cry and then Walli does touch her Trunk-to-Genitals and she responds with a Husky-Cry. We hear the 5 year old Grumble-Rumble and then hear Suckling sounds - he is back again! Walli reaches and touches her infant Trunk-to-Mouth and the infant gives a Husky-Cry-Scream. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (5)

Marshmallow's new infant does not seem to know from whom to Suckle. He is trying to Suckle from various allomothers and other adult females and becoming increasingly distressed. We can hear Husky-Cries and other sounds as if he is choking or having difficulties breathing. The juvenile females and adults alike are becoming alarmed and are communicating with extremely low frequency throbbing rumbles. The infant's grandmother,Malati, (with wonky tusks) appears in the background and his mother, Marshmallow, is also in the middle of the melee. Another adult female joins in (left) and walks past Trumpeting. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (6)

A youngish musth male has been touching Angelina's newborn twins, Angelina and some of the allomothers. He seems to be confusing scents. One of the twins is with the allomothers in a forest of legs. He touches it and the twin gives a high intensity Husky-Cry. Immediately 4 allomothers touch and reassure her touching her mouth, trunk tip and genitals. Then Angelina comes over and Pulls her toward her. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (7)

Angelina's female twin has been separated from her mother for a while now. She has been with allomothers and has been seen trying to Comfort-Suckle from them and also from Abra, who Pushed her away. Now she is distressed and gives a low intensity Husky-Cry. Immediately the allomothers and Angelina are there for her. Angelina Rumbles and Pulls her toward her while an allomother gives an Alarmed-Trumpet. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Husky-Cry

Context: Protest & Distress (8)

One of Angelina's twins is separated from her and being looked after by some allomothers. We heard a little squeak from it and then Arora B goes quickly over to see what the problem is. There is a scrum of allomothers and so it is difficult to see. Then the twin appears and and gives a Husky-Cry and another as it reaches its Trunk-Toward an adult female.

We hear a loud Rumble (as well as other Rumbles) and then the female with the infant moves out of the way as Abra is approaching. The infant is comforted Trunk-to-Mouth by Amora. Abra comes into view Rumbling and draws the infant to her. It gives another Husky-Cry. After each Husky-Cry there are Coo-Rumbles by the allomothers. We see Angelina approaching. (Amboseli, Kenya)