Orient-Toward

Reorientation of the body to face or look at another elephant, animal or object of interest. Displayed by all age/sex groups.

References: Poole 1982; Kahl & Armstrong 2000; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011 [Turn-Toward]. (Full reference list)

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

Orient-Toward

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (1)

Two juvenile males are Sparring. One is bigger than the other. An adolescent female intervenes Orienting-Toward them and Head-Shaking and then Looks-At the older male while Trunk-Sucking. She Advances-Toward the older male and he Backs-Away. It is as if she decides that they are being too rough - or perhaps the older male is not part of the family and she is protecting a sibling - or perhaps she wants to join the play. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)