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| Credit: Joshua Plotnik, University of Cambridge |
Using a classic animal psychology experiment scientists have shown elephants understand cooperation and will help each other out when needed.
Joshua Plotnik and his team conducted a classic 1930’s cooperation experiment (originally designed for chimpanzees) on a small group of elephants at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.
The experiment involved a table with a rare treat of corn, being placed out of reach of the elephants. Two elephants were released down separate aisles, the only way to get to the table was for both elephants to pull on the rope in their aisle simultaneously.
If only one end of the rope was pulled the rope would slide out from around the table and the treat would remain out of reach.
Elephants are up there with chimpanzees and dolphins in terms of intelligence. Unfortunately there aren’t many studies documenting their smarts, due to the dangerous nature of working with such large animals.
Elephants also demonstrate cooperation in the wild. Female elephants will care for a calf regardless of whether it’s theirs. If an elephant is stuck others will help to push and pull it out of a sticky situation. Elephants have also been observed bringing food to other elephants and grouping together to protect calves from predators.
It’s exciting to see that such diverse animals from separate families are developing a similar level of intelligence.
You can read more about the study at the link below, Plotnik was also involved in the study that demonstrated elephants can recognise themselves in a mirror.
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