Elephants pass intelligence test with profound implications for our understanding of the species

[NWCorona]

Source: The Independent

Elephants have passed a test of intelligence which scientists say has “profound” implications for our understanding of their mental capabilities.

They were found to be capable of performing a task that showed they have a level of self-understanding that is rare in the animal world and defeats humans until they are about two years old.

The scientists behind the study said animals capable of this kind of behaviour may also be better at empathising and be able to consider someone else’s perspective.

And that could have implications for the way conflicts between humans and elephants should be handled in places where the two species are competing for land and resources.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/elephants-intelligence-test-pass-profound-implications-understanding-species-dolphins-great-apes-a7680566.html

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Elephants have always been a favorite of mine.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Memory refresher: Elephants Recognize Selves in Mirror, Study Says

Elephants Recognize Selves in Mirror, Study Says
John Roach
for National Geographic News
October 30, 2006

Elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, according to a new study. Humans, great apes, and dolphins are the only other animals known to possess this form of self-awareness.

All of these animals also lead socially complex lives and display empathy—concern and understanding of another's feelings—researchers report.

"There seems to be some correlation between an ability to recognize oneself in a mirror and higher forms of social complexity," said Joshua Plotnik, a graduate student in psychology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

To assess elephants' self-awareness, Plotnik and his colleagues tested three adult female Asian elephants in front of a mirror.

All three pachyderms sized up their mirror images by inspecting behind the mirror, rubbing their trunks the length of the mirror, or probing their mouths with their trunks to see if their reflections did the same.

One elephant named Happy also passed the so-called mark test, repeatedly touching her trunk to a white X painted on her forehead that was only visible in the mirror.

More:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061030-asian-elephants.html

[sakabatou]

9. And one of them can do a self portrait

[Equinox Moon]

2. I love elephants!

Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2017, 09:31 PM - Edit history (1)

They are amazing creatures. May humans wake-up and start living in harmony with nature and animals, instead of trying to conquer.

[Beartracks]

26. I concur!

================

[JudyM]

39. I do, too. Have you ever seen the photographic collection Ashes and Snow?

Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2017, 09:56 PM - Edit history (1)

I know you would love it, Equinox Moon. https://gregorycolbert.com/ashesandsnowGallery.php

[Equinox Moon]

41. Very beautiful, thanks for sharing JudyM

[CrispyQ]

3. I love elephants.

And baby elephants are the cutest babies on the planet.











In a just universe, our entire species would be judged on how it treated the others we inhabit this planet with.

[Aristus]

14. And they love to cuddle!...

[CrispyQ]

16. Lucky guy!

[madokie]

25. Thats just TOO cool

Love me some Elephants. hell I love all living things

[JudyM]

40. If we had a cute video of the year award on DU, this would be right up there.

Thanks for posting this adorableness!

[SammyWinstonJack]

28. Baby 'phants! Nothing cuter!

[Fast Walker 52]

4. Elephants are amazing, we HAVE to protect them!!!

Mankind's intelligence is otherwise very much in doubt.

[byronius]

5. Great post.

[Binkie The Clown]

6. Footfall

Intelligent elephants from another planet invade Earth.

Ironically, before the story opens, the dominant species on their home planet had destroyed itself by ruining the environment, at which point the elephants salvaged their technology and replaced them as the dominant species.

[captain queeg]

38. Rods from God

Isn't that where the idea of using asteroids as weapon began, and of course the military thinks of just putting stuff in orbit so they can drop it where they want at about 40,000 mph?

[spiderpig]

7. Elephants everywhere are tired of their image being co-opted by a certain political party.

Ironically, a party which espouses activities that contribute to their extinction.

I adore elephants.

Dumbo scarred me for life when I first saw it at about age 3. Animal abuse, separation anxiety, ridicule of the "different".

As we know, elephants are noble, majestic, intelligent creatures that most humans should aspire to emulate.

[lark]

8. Love the animal.

Loathe the party.

[LiberalLovinLug]

22. How the hell did they get such a magnificent creature to represent them?

and we were left with the donkey, sometimes referred to as an ass.?

[Bluepinky]

31. Donkeys are wonderful too!

I'm an animal lover and believe that all animals have their place in the world. It's hard to top the intelligence and magnificence of elephants, but I would bet that lovingly raised donkeys can be affectionate too.

[spiderpig]

33. Here's to the heroic donkey!

[Bluepinky]

42. Thank you for that, so cute!!

[lark]

34. Thank you.

I've long wondered about that. My friends have donkeys and love them, but they wouldn't be my first choice for a political symbol. We should have the bald eagle, or wolf.

[Soxfan58]

10. "able to consider someone elses perspective."

So they are smarter than republicans!

[Duppers]

15. Isn't that the truth!

My Lab has more understanding, compassion than any Rethugian I know!

Elephants, like dolphins deserve FAR more respect than most humans give them. Most animals do.

According to some sites, at least 30,000 elephants are killed each year. China is banning ivory, as if they won't import illegal ivory.

I donate to stop the slaughter - to save The Elephants and Defenders of Wildlife. I recently made one rethug neighbor uncomfortable when she was talking about her ivory. We must speak up for these intelligent co-inhabitants of our planet.

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. Wouldn't take much.

[lunamagica]

11. I'm not surprised.

I LOVE elephants!

[Sunlei]

12. African & Indian elephants smart enough to know & share with other elephants,humans aren't friends.

Poor elephants are so stressed around humans and their vehicles.

[3catwoman3]

32. Dumbass...

...humans.

I liked how the elephant almost flattened the motorcycle with its massive foot.

[Moostache]

13. " conflicts between humans and elephants" ?

These conflicts will be resolved the exact same way ALL conflicts between man and nature are today - with brute force, no empathy and zero foresight or consideration for anything beyond the next 12 months.

Humanity itself has become an ecological terrorist. These studies for elephants' intelligence and capacity for feeling and thought will be the next thing to be banned from discussion.

Humans suck. The sooner we are all gone, the better off the ecology of the planet will become....sadly, we are going to be taking down everything larger than a beetle with us...

[Number9Dream]

17. 2 elephants reunited after 20 years

[Blazesweetie]

21. So beautiful

Thanks for posting this. I've seen it before but it never gets old seeing their reunion. The shot at the end with Shirley and Jenny hugging, with their trunks wrapped around each other just made my day.

[Number9Dream]

27. Welcome to DU

[3catwoman3]

30. This makes me tear up...

...every time I watch it.

[oldcynic]

18. how elephants deal with electric fences

Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa put up electric fences to keep elephants out of their plantations of fruit trees. The elephants placed tree branches and brush against the fences and, using them as protection, pushed the fences over before strolling in to eat the fruit. Don't think they needed a scientist to tell them they were intelligent.

[milestogo]

19. They are a totally inappropriate symbol for the GOP, which has neither brains nor empathy.

[machoneman]

20. Now if we could only get Trump and his team to pass even simple......

intelligence tests we'd....

Oh, Fuggit! They are dumber than a box of rocks!

[adigal]

23. I would literally vote for an elephant before most Republicans

At least you get empathy with these magnificent creatures.
I adore them.

[kimbutgar]

24. I was reading a book about how elephants were trained in 1200ad

And they were saying they had personalities and until they get to know you they would blow dirt in your face while you rode on them. They are highly trainable to also do work such as clearing brush and taking down trees. They also helped in constructing plalaces in Asia.

[Kablooie]

35. Can they join Mensa now?

[locks]

36. They could carry

and drop pretty big bombs I imagine. Surprised we haven't trained them to do so.

[cemaphonic]

43. I know this is a snark post and all, but read up on the first battle of Panipat sometime

Elephants don't like explosives (who knew?) and having panicked elephants in your army is more of a liability than asset.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Panipat

[Delphinus]

37. Jeez,

if only more humans could have empathy and be able to consider someone else's perspective ...