Bunching

A group of individuals clustering or bunching together a tight defensive circle, typically with the young in the center while the adults face outwards toward the source of the perceived threat, like the spokes of a wheel.

Bunching may be observed in response to any situation that is frightening, potentially dangerous or perceived as a potential threat, whether caused by other elephants, predators (including people) or strange sounds, smells or events. Bunching may precede a Retreat-From, Full-Retreat, Panic-Running, Advance-Toward, Group-Advance, Charge or Group-Charge. Elephants may exhibit a combination of Vigilant and Coalition-Building behaviors such as Listening, Ear-Spreading, Periscope-Trunk, Head-Swinging, Reach-Touch and Rumbling. Temporin may be secreted.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Langbauer et al. 1989; Poole 1996: 144; McComb et al. 2000; McComb et al. 2001; McComb et al. 2000; McComb et al. 2003; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Chin-Up, Ear-Spreading, Head-Swinging, Reach-Touch, Temporin, Trunk-to-Mouth and occurs in the following context(s): Coalition Building, Vigilance

Bunching

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (1)

TEXT. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Bunching

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (2)

Little E is 5 days old and is trying to suckle as his mother browses. Adolescent female V-notch approaches and we hear what sounds like a Little-Greeting Rumble from Mama Little E. There is a lot of wind noise so it is hard to tell if both vocalise, but V-Notches holds her Ears-Stiff and Backs-Toward Mama Little E. We see Lorato approaching from behind them and see Mara Little E rumble again. They all Bunch around around Little-E in a protective manner. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Bunching

Context: Coalition Building (1)

We are with the V family. The Bat Hawk appears overhead and the sound of the engine concerns the elephants. Family members coalesce around the matriarch, Valda, who is feeding and appears unperturbed. They spread out again, but the circling of the Bat Hawk again causes them to coalesce or Bunch around the matriarch. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bunching

Context: Coalition Building (1)

We are with the Mabenzi family. A sub group of 7 elephants including young adult tuskless female gf0014 and gf0079, their calves and two juvenile/young males discover our tire tracks. We had driven through the grass here at least 35 minutes earlier. At least 6 of these elephants repeatedly Sniff the tracks and then eventually Back-Away and seek assistance from large adult tuskless female Mwana Nzo - they coalesce around her and Valente.

Mwana Nzo understands by their Chin-Up posture that something is wrong and she moves from the center to the fore of this Bunched group and Stand-Tall with adult female Valente (with tusks). They lead the tightly Bunched family over to inspect the tracks. Mwana Nzo inspects the tracks; she Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car x 2 and then sniffs again and decides, correctly, that it is us - she turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like a Charge, but is only a Bow-Neck-Advance-Toward. She reconsiders and begins to Back-Away and Touch-Ground. She turns and leads the Bunched family in a Full-Retreat and adopts the Rear-Guard. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Bunching

Context: Coalition Building (3)

This clip is taken from a longer sequence of behavior by the I and C families, who we find out in the open where they feel vulnerable. Prior to the start of this clip the I family had Charged us with Trumpet-Blasts and other commotion and alerted the C family, who were about 200 meters from them. As the I family stand facing us Bunching, Standing-Tall and Head-Swinging, the camera pans out to reveal the C family rushing toward the I family. The C family joins the I family with a lot of vocal commotion and they Bunch together in one group. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)