Allomother-Intervention

An adolescent, juvenile or older calf, typically female, intervening in an interaction between younger elephants, or engaging in behavior, in such a way as to come to the aid of an elephant being bullied, or put a stop to aggressive behavior or rough play.

References: Bates et al 2008. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Advance-Toward, Forward-Trunk-Swing, Trunk-to-Genitals, Trunk-to-Mouth and occurs in the following context(s): Birth, Calf Reassurance & Protection

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (1)

In slo-mo - In view are four youngsters from the C family: a one tusk female about 10 (left) a 5 year old female (right) and two infants, gf0080's female calf under a year old and a 1 year old male. The 1 year old male attempts to Play-Reach-Over gf0080’s 6-month calf and she runs off; he tries again, bumping into her, and she continues to move away. Then, he manages to Mount her. He is immediately stopped through an Allomother-Intervention by the 5 year old female who sees him off and touches the younger calf Trunk-to-Body as if to reassure. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (2)

In slo-mo - In view are four youngsters from the C family: a one tusk female about 10 (left) a 5 year old female (right) and two infants, gf0080's female calf about 6 months old and a 1 year old male. The male Play-Reach-Over the female again (this is a continuation from an earlier clip) - she ducks out of the way and the 5 year allomother Head-Swipes toward them as if to break up the antics again and protect the smaller female. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (3)

In slo-mo - In view are four youngsters from the C family: A one tusk female about 10 (left) a 5 year old female (right) and two infants, gf0080's 6 month female calf and a 1 year old male. gf0080’s 6 month old female walks over to the one year old male and touches him Trunk-to-Body and Social-Rubs against him, as if initiating another interaction. He turns and starts to Play-Reach-Over again (see previous Allomother-Intervention clips). gf0154 notices and reach Trunk-Toward as if to intervene, but does not, but her movement forward toward them stops the antics and may have been intentional. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (4)

In slo-mo - Two juvenile males sparring - one bigger than the other. A young female appears to think they are being too rough - or perhaps the older male is not part of the family - or perhaps she wants to play - in any case, she intervenes. She Orients-Toward them and Head-Shake and then Look-At the older one while she Trunk-Sucks. Then she Advances-Toward them and the older male Backs-Away. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (5)

Little E is 4 days old. He goes exploring and meets an uncle, a 7 year old male. The little male Sniffs-Toward Little E and then walks away. Little E follows him and the boy uses his foot to Kick-Back (x2). On the second Kick-Back Little E almost falls over and emits a little squeak, which we believe is a Husky-Cry, although I can't hear due to the wind. Little E looks confused and stands for a moment as the boy Kicks-Back at the air. Little E doesn't get the message and follows him again. Little E begins sniffing the boy's back end which alarms the boy and he Kicks-Back a 4th time. Luckily, Mama Little E and allomother Lorato come to the rescue. His mother reaches out Trunk-to-Tail and Lorato Caresses him Trunk-to-Genitals and walks between the boy and Little E apparently to intervene. The touches have the effect of redirecting Little E to his mother's side and away from danger. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (6)

Marshmallow of the MB family has a new infant who is asleep on the ground. She has the help of two allomothers in looking after it. A young male has just arrived and is Kicking the infant - in an effort to get it out of the way. The allomother at the back is concerned and we see her reach to the infant with her trunk. Then she comes rapidly to the front of the group and Backs-Toward the infant in an effort to place herself between the two.

The second allomother seems to feel she was too close and Pushed her gently away and immediately gives her a Trunk-to-Genitals touch in a Conciliatory gesture. A minute later, the second allomother Ear-Brushes her as if in a second Conciliatory gesture. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (7)

There are 4 allomothers looking after one of Angelina's twins when a musth male comes over to test them. The infant likely still carries a scent of interest to him and he goes back and forth between sniffing the girls and sniffing the infant. There is a lot of social interaction and some agonistic behavior between the girls who seem in competition to be the one to be responsible for the infant's care and protection as well as competition between them for the attention of the musth male. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (8)

In view are Angelina and her newborn twins and a few allomothers including Arora B. A young musth male comes into view. He has been hanging around due to the 'afterbirth' smell and has been sniffing the infants and the allomothers are concerned. One of the twins is lying on the ground and the musth males comes over to sniff it. Arora B steps over and wakes the infant up, getting it to stand up and drawing it toward her. She back well away from the male to the other side of the group Shepherding the infant with her. Angelina begins to move and all go with her. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Allomother-Intervention

Context: Calf Reassurance & Protection (9)

TEXT. (Amboseli, Kenya)