Procession

Walking single file in a long line of elephants, from point A to B. Among family groups the matriarch often takes up the rear position with a closely allied adult female relative taking the lead.

Processions are typically observed when elephants are walking along a well-worn trail or across open habitat, in situations where they feel relatively secure. A Group-March is more likely to be adopted when they are moving across open habitat in which they feel insecure.

References: Mutinda et al 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Walking and occurs in the following context(s): Movement, Space & Leadership

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (1)

A group of 4 young males walk in a Procession. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (2)

The Mabenzi family and associating males walk in a Procession initiated by Provocadora, gf0012. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (3)

The Mabenzi family and associating males walk through the Faidherbia woodland in a Procession. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (4)

The Mabenzi family and associating males walk in a Procession led by matriarch, Valente, gf0013. They are on their way to a tree that was just felled by an adult male. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (5)

The Mabenzi family move from the Faidherbia woodland out onto the floodplain in a Procession led by Valente, gf0013. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (6)

males walk in a Procession led by matriarch, Valente, gf0013. They are on their way to a tree that was just felled by an adult male. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (7)

A family walks across the plains in a Procession. A musth male who is following an estrous female brings up the rear. He stops to inspect something and then catches up. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (8)

Big Mama's family is crossing an open plain in a Procession. Notice how rapidly they walk to get across an area in which they don't feel particularly safe. Note too that the two oldest females, take the most important positions - Selengei at the front and matriarch Big Mama at the rear. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (9)

Little E’s family walks in a Procession following their Matriarch, who walked this way earlier. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (10)

The C family is crossing Picada 4 in a Procession as they move from the forest to the flood plain in the late afternoon. Nomada, gf0003, is bringing up the read and adopts a Rear-Guard posture, turning to face us with Ears-Spread. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (11)

The M family in a Procession as they move from the forest to the flood plain in the late afternoon. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (12)

The M family in a Procession as they move from the forest to the flood plain in the late afternoon. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Procession

Context: Movement Space & Leadership (13)

The M family in a Procession as they move from the forest to the flood plain in the late afternoon. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)