Scientists have long known that elephants are clever. They can solve problems, they talk to each other, and they have long memories. But researchers were surprised at the way two Asian elephants recently showed off their understanding of an unusual tool - a hose.
Posts tagged as “elephants”
Every year, as many as 50,000 elephants in Africa are killed illegally for their ivory tusks. Now scientists have improved DNA methods that allow them to match up tusks, and help track down criminal gangs that are selling the ivory.
A group of scientists at Georgia Tech University recently studied the ways that elephants use sucking power when eating. Along the way, the scientists learned a number of other surprising things elephants can do with their trunks.
Kaavan the elephant has been described as "the world's loneliest elephant". After spending years alone in a zoo in Pakistan, on Tuesday, Kaavan arrived in Cambodia, where he will have plenty of elephants for company.
Among the more unusual news stories recently…protesting lawmakers throw pig guts in Taiwan's parliament, an elephant is pulled out of a well with a crane in India, and a New Zealand city is forced to replace exploding parking sensors.
As the coronavirus has limited the movements of tourists and park rangers, African elephants and rhinos are being killed in greater numbers. Now, with money from tourists drying up, it's even harder for governments to protect the animals.
About 40,000 elephants and 1,000 rhinos are killed for their tusks and horns every year. Now scientists are using DNA tests to help find the criminals and send them to jail.
On Saturday night, a train ran into a herd of elephants. Four of the elephants were killed at once. Another elephant was badly hurt.