Lifting

Using the feet, tusks or trunk to attempt to lift or carry an infant, to get it to its feet, up a bank, out of a well, or similar predicament, or to assist a helpless, injured, dying or dead elephant. For dead elephants see Lift-Body. In the context of calves or infants this is exclusively an adult female behavior, although adolescent and juvenile females certainly assist calves and may attempt to lift them. Adult males and females may attempt to lift injured, dying or dead elephants.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Moss 1992: 123, 124, 129; Poole 1996: 95, 98 137, 159; Payne, 2003; McComb et al 2006; Bates et al 2008; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011 [see also Body-Lifting]. (Full reference list)

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