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In most animal family units, a strong alpha male leads the pack…but elephant groups are usually dominated by a matriarch. Scientists have found that older elephant mums are more experienced and much better at dealing with possible threats to the group. Their ability to decipher threats and make decisions to lead everyone to safety is considered important amongst large-brained animals such as elephants. As they live for so long, they have an important role to play co-ordinating the group.
Photo : AP

Scientists have discovered how elephants can work together to achieve a goal! Cambridge University built a device where two animals have to each pull a rope to bring something nearer and found that if only one elephant was there they would wait patiently for another to come along to help.
This sort of teamwork has been well documented in primates such as chimps and monkeys but this is the first time these great animals have been seen to exhibit this trait.

The Guardian have a brilliant interview with one of my childhood heroes, the conservationist Terry Nutkins, where he talks about his first ever job. I’m incredibly jealous of how at only 9 years old, he was helping the keepers at London Zoo put their elephants to bed.
Definitely beats my childhood Saturday job!

Chester Zoo are celebrating their new addition, a beautiful little elephant calf called Nayan which means ‘eye’ in Hindi. He has a lot of growing to do as Indian elephants can grow up to 11.5 ft and 4.5 tonnes!
Many thanks to Jez for capturing him pestering his rather tired Mum…

Heartwarming story of a little elephant who was injured in a trap so the locals built him a special wooden foot. And you can watch his first steps here…
Asian elephants are the largest land animal in Asia and considered endangered. Despite their large size (they can grow over 11ft tall!) they are widely domesticated and have helped locals with forestry for centuries.