Bush-Bashing

Tossing the head and tusks back and forth through bushes or other vegetation creating noise and visual commotion. In an Escalated-Contest, between musth males, and in an Attacking & Mobbing context Bush-Bashing is likely a demonstration of strength; an expression of “look what I can do with you!" In a Social Play context elephants may run back and forth through bushes or long grass beating up and lifting up vegetation creating a ruskus that appears to be contagious.

References: Poole 1987c; Moss 1988; Poole 1996: 148, 171; Poole & Granli 2004; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Attacking & Mobbing, Social Play