Elephants show capacity for compassion, scientists find

[Laisrean]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060808/sc_afp/sciencebritainanimals

LONDON (AFP) - Elephants pay their respects to lost loved ones and venerated leaders in a way that suggests a human-like capacity for compassion, scientists have said.

In a paper to appear in a scientific journal this month, researchers said Tuesday they came to this conclusion after watching how elephants on a Kenyan game reserve behaved towards a matriarch who fell ill and died.

I also remember reading somewhere about how Elephants can paint pictures. They are really very intelligent animals, and they must be protected.

[Xentor]

It's also shown that elephants can be very violent in the protection of "their" territory and family, killing people and destroying villages. This is because in those areas the number of elephants is too high for the amount of territory they can use. Courtesy of National Geographic.

[Cat]

It's also shown that elephants can be very violent in the protection of "their" territory and family, killing people and destroying villages. This is because in those areas the number of elephants is too high for the amount of territory they can use. Courtesy of National Geographic.

If you take out the part about National Geographic, you could be describing humans.

[Ahautenites]

I've always been fond of African elephants. Never much cared for Indian elephants.

[RoseKitten]

If you take out the part about National Geographic, you could be describing humans.

Ditto. 'cept, since we humans are at the top of the food chain, we don't count... I mean, we're *human* therefore better. When an animal does something to protect it's land/family, they're a bad bad animal. Now, let's go build more housing developments. [end sarcasm]

[Anubis]

Elephants aren't the only ones.. Horses and dogs do it too.

[angle kitsune]

dogs also show compassion,most scientists don't take notice to that,meny animals do. my dog,when her pup died(2 years agow) she dug a grave for her and still goes back to it often,like she misses her.

[Agaliha]

OMG. I love love love elephants! I should put my elie animation up again!
They're beautiful and amazing creatures.
Cool atricle, but the info is not new. That's been known for a long time in biology and such.
Elephants cry, mourn dead (touching skeleton remains), take out revenge on those that kill their herd members, they laugh, they play, they have excellent memory, etc.

I had links to places to help the elephants in my sig. I'll put them back. If you want to help elephants, check them out.
ETA: I added them, they're in my sig now. They're both awesome sanctuaries. I'm going to "adopt" an elephant from each really soon!

[person of shadow]

It's also shown that elephants can be very violent in the protection of "their" territory and family, killing people and destroying villages. This is because in those areas the number of elephants is too high for the amount of territory they can use. Courtesy of National Geographic.
Many accidents with Elephants is when a human(or other animal, for we are animals) goes into a male elephant with very hi testosterone's area.

Male behaviour
Bull elephants are usually solitary and they fight over females during the breeding season. Younger bulls may form small groups. Males reach sexual maturity during their 15th year, after which they annually enter "musth". This is a period where the testosterone level is high (up to 60 times greater) and they become extremely aggressive. Secretions containing pheromones occur during this period, from the temporal glands on the forehead.


Danger of elephants

An animal of this size is potentially dangerous.Care should be taken when walking or driving at night or in the late evening in areas where wild elephants roam. Particularly, potential meetings with unpredictable adult males, or females with nearby young, are best avoided. The most dangerous are aggressive, so-called rogue elephants which are usually young solitary bulls.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Elephant

[Cindlady2]

Elephants are very emotional! :)