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New
Life
Elephants are highly social animals. Their complex society focuses on strict
discipline to ensure social order at all times. Herd life revolves around guard-
ing, rearing and teaching calves and this is done by all herd members.
starts when a baby is born after 22 months. It weighs
New life
around 80 kg at birth. It is a momentous occasion and the
entire herd celebrates the birth of the new baby. Calves are a family invest-
ment and for the first 2 years of its life, the calf is intensively mothered. Much
of the baby’s social skills are developed and taught during this period. This
would be the foundation for its ongoing learning.
Much like humans, elephants are long-lived animals and they acquire
knowledge through experience and learning. This is an ongoing process in the
herd from the moment that the baby is born.
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