Group-March

A tightly coordinated group of elephants walking with long strides, in a directed, purposeful, intentional manner, as if they have a goal in mind. Typically observed in open habitat in situations where elephants may feel vulnerable.

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

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Purposeful-Walk and occurs in the following context(s): Coalition Building

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (1)

Matriarch Selengei stood Monitoring the sound and location of the Maasai and their livestock for a long time. As Selengei contemplated what to do, other members of her family stood Waiting and calling with Let's-Go-rumbles. It appeared that once Selengei determined that the Maasai were heading back to their settlements for the night she initiated a Group-March of over 40 elephants.

Notice how the elephants bunch together as they walk. The Group-March passes where the sounds of livestock and people had originally emanated from and onward to the vicinity of the settlements. In this clip we hear the sounds of Maasai and their livestock and see the settlements beyond the group. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (2)

Led by Selengei - the elephants are uncomfortable out in the open - they bunch together and move quickly across the open area. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (3)

Big Mama, her family and associating males Bunch together to cross an area of open space where they feel vulnerable. Note that there is no audio but livestock can be heard in the background on footage from another camera. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (4)

As elephants move from one patch of Faidherbia drepanolobium to the next they clearly feel vulnerable in the open areas and members of Big Mama's family Bunch together as they walk in a slow version of a Group-march. Note that the males are less concerned and are more loosely spaced. There is no audio, but cattle bells can be heard in the distance on footage from another camera. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (5)

As elephants from Big Mama's family cross an open area (in a rain storm) they feel more vulnerable and Bunch up in a slow Group-March. Cattle can be seen in the background heading home. Note that livestock have been in the vicinity all afternoon and the elephants have been constrained by their presence. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (6)

Out in the open elephants defend themselves by bunching as they walk. Big Mama leads from the rear and Selengei is at the front. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Group-March

Context: Coalition Building (7)

The Mabenzi family is Bunching as they walk in a tight Group-March toward Lake Urema. They are on their way to water and were caught out the open and are concerned - adopting Periscope-Trunk. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)