https://www.sciencedaily.com/r.../09/200903114210.htm



Old males vital to elephant societies

Date:
September 3, 2020
Source:
University of Exeter

Summary:
Old male elephants play a key role in leading all-male groups, new research suggests.


Trophy hunters justify targeting older bull elephants on the grounds they are "redundant" in terms of breeding and hence species survival.

But the new study, by the University of Exeter, shows the oldest bulls in all-male groups are the most likely to hold leading positions when the elephants travel, potentially helping younger, less experienced followers find food and water.

The study, in collaboration with Elephants for Africa, examined the movements of male African savannah elephants (also known as bush elephants) in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana.

"Our results challenge the assumption that older male elephants are redundant in the population and raise concerns over the removal of old bulls that currently occurs in both legal trophy hunting and illegal poaching," said lead author Connie Allen, of Exeter's Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour.

"We argue that selective hunting of old bulls is not sustainable.

"Past research has shown in fact that old bulls are the prime breeders (they sire the most offspring) in African elephants.

"Our findings suggest that killing them could also have detrimental effects on wider elephant society through loss of leaders who help young, newly independent males navigate in unfamiliar, risky environments."

Pre-adolescent male African savannah elephants live in herds led by females, but between age 10-20 they leave their natal family, spending most of their time in all-male groups.

The study divided male elephants into age groups (10-15, 16-20, 21-25 and 26+) and found probability of leadership -- measured by which elephant walked at the front of travelling groups -- increased along with age.

"Research on benefits of older individuals in long-lived social mammals has largely focused on females in matrilineal societies where, for example, older female elephants are most effective at making decisions crucial to herd survival, and old post-reproductive female killer whales lead collective movements in hunting grounds," said Professor Darren Croft, of the University of Exeter.

"In contrast, less is known about the role of older males as leaders in long-lived social species.

"Our study suggests that bull elephants occupy a similar leadership role in male elephant society as old female matriarchs in breeding herds -- and so they may require equal protection."

Associate Professor Lauren Brent, of the University of Exeter, said: "This work highlights the need to examine other ways that younger males learn from experienced older males in long-lived mammals."

Poaching, hunting and conflict with humans (such as killing by farmers) are the main causes of death among mature bull elephants, and their numbers are declining rapidly.

Older male elephants are usually targeted by trophy hunters as they have larger tusks, and often minimum ages are implemented by hunting operators.

Botswana has recently announced a decision to recommence elephant trophy hunting, and export quotas for the tusks of 400 elephants have been issued for this year.

"The intricacies of male elephant societies have often been ignored in management and conservation decisions with the underlying assumption that once they leave their herd they are solitary and independent," said Dr Kate Evans, director of Elephants for Africa and a member of the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre. "

This study furthers our understanding of male elephants and the importance of older bulls, enabling more sustainable management decisions for both male and female elephants to be made."

The study was supported by the Leverhulme Trust, The Explorers Club, Wilderness Wildlife Trust, IDEAWILD and Elephants for Africa.

Any excuse to blame hunters.

They consider an “old” elephant at 26+?? They are still on their 4th set of teeth at 26. Would think “old” is more like early 40s when they get their 6th set.

quote:

But the new study, by the University of Exeter, shows the oldest bulls in all-male groups are the most likely to hold leading positions when the elephants travel, potentially helping younger, less experienced followers find food and water.

Rubbish..... but seeing it comes from Prof. Hujimiflic from Exeter University, then it must be true.

In contrast I have always known old bulls to stay in the company of one or more younger ones known to some of us as the "Askaris" who protect the old boy.

The old bulls act much in the same way as Buffalo Dagga Boys, nip in and out of the herd to sow their oats and begone.

quote:

Originally posted by fulvio:

quote:

But the new study, by the University of Exeter, shows the oldest bulls in all-male groups are the most likely to hold leading positions when the elephants travel, potentially helping younger, less experienced followers find food and water.

Rubbish..... but seeing it comes from Prof. Hujimiflic from Exeter University, then it must be true.

In contrast I have always known old bulls to stay in the company of one or more younger ones known to some of us as the "Askaris" who protect the old boy.

The old bulls act much in the same way as Buffalo Dagga Boys, nip in and out of the herd to sow their oats and begone.

Absolutely and whatever happened to the theory that the Matriach is the wise one?

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
They consider an “old” elephant at 26+?? They are still on their 4th set of teeth at 26. Would think “old” is more like early 40s when they get their 6th set.

That caught my eye too, I read in the article:

quote:

Life expectancy including human-induced mortality has been estimated as 41 years for female African savannah elephants, but just 24 years for males (24). Higher mortality could reflect the greater growth costs on adolescent males25, lower resistance to drought (26), males’ greater involvement in wildlife conflict situations (27,28,29), or the general risks associated with dispersal, such as lack of knowledge in navigating crucial resources in a new, complex and risky environment (30). Thus, young adolescent males may gain considerable fitness benefits by associating with older males, with potentially decades more experience of utilising their environment safely and effectively, and older male elephants may act as repositories of ecological knowledge to younger males.

Original article

I dug up an old quote here from Buzz, which actually isn't that much different. Cows are older, bulls not that old, but it seems the average they took then was older than the average mentioned in the article:

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
There has been alot of discussion on lion ages here so I thought I would give you all a little info on elephant as we have aged all our bulls ( up to 20 a season) and ele cows ( up to 30 a season) for the last 3 years on bulls and 8 years on cows.

We age them through Fiona Stansfield ( now Dr!) whom we have been providing ovaries for for the last 8 odd years ( See research on cmsafaris.com)

The oldest ele cows we have shot have been in there 60s with the oldest been 67. She was on her last tooth of her last molar (6th). The youngest was 12 years old and she was ovulating meaning she was sexually mature.

On the bulls the youngest we have shot was 22 while the oldest two were 40. The 22 year old was 35 lbs aside while the 40s were 48lbs ( Randy Matin- see Randy Martin hunt report) and Leon Komkovs ele which was 47lbs ( see Leons Hunt report)

Last year we shot two 70lbs ele that were 36 years old and 38 respectively. Genetically they were hundred pounders had they lived long enough.

The questions I have and also Fiona are
1/ Like humans are the bulls not living as old as cows?
2/ Are our bulls getting shot before they reach their old age?

This is possible as every bull that we have shot in 3 years have carried lead of some sort. One of the 70 lbs bulls had 17 bullets ranging from ak- to muzzle balls to 375 rounds in it. Interestingly though our average has increased yearly for the last 10 years.

A worrying thing is that more and more cows that we shoot are carrying bullets. The result is much more aggressive elephant and ironically the incidents of ele poaching has risen dramatically with the increased number of Chinese coming to Zim- anyway thats another topic!


Before someone comments that we are not been selective enough, for the record CM has the best average on ele bull in the valley for 3 consecutive year.

Just some general info on elephants as a whole as PH have a habit of telling their clients that they shot an ancient old bull that must be in its 60s!!!

See Here