For the first time, researchers have been able to identify and record elephants making warning sounds when threatened by bees. At the sound of recorded warning sounds, the herd of elephants retreats from the danger zone, even when there are no bees in the area.
A team of researchers from the Faculty of Zoology at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Save-the-Elephants and Disney's Animal Kingdom, managed to identify the warning sounds of elephants heard when threatened by bees. The study was conducted as part of a larger study on the elephant population in Kenya and its results were published in the journal PLoS One.
Previous studies by the University of Oxford found that elephants prefer to avoid areas with beehives and are amazed by recordings of angry bees. It turns out that elephants are afraid of bees and even though they have thick skin, the bees sting them around the eyes and in the trunk area - a swarm of bees can kill a young elephant.
During the current observations, the researchers decided to test the response of the elephants to the bee threats. They played the sounds of angry bees near a herd of elephants and recorded the reaction of the herd. When the sounds of bees were heard, the elephants not only fled the area but also shook their heads and made special warning sounds to let the rest of the herd know about the danger.
To confirm the discovery, the researchers synthesized the sounds made by the elephants and later played only the warning sounds of the elephants near the same herd without the presence of real bees and without the original sounds of the angry bees. Out of ten families, six elephant families responded to the calls and ran away from the area. The researchers also discovered that when the "bee warning" is played, the elephants run farther compared to other warning sounds that have been recorded before.
The warning calls help the elephants move the herd when threats are detected, and are used to educate the young and inexperienced elephants. The researchers believe that these sounds have an emotional source of threat and therefore their effect is greater. However, they say that more research is needed to examine whether the calls serve as a "bee warning" or if it is a more general warning.
The development of agriculture in Kenya has caused an increase in cases of farmers shooting at elephants raiding the fields. In 2009 the team led groundbreaking experimental research that showed that when beehives are incorporated into fences, there is a drastic reduction in elephant raids on agricultural crops. The team hopes that the new findings will lead to the development of new tools to reduce conflicts between humans and elephants.
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To commenter #6 (Alex 9)
Assuming you are part of the "reading public", answer to your question:
In countries where there are wild animals / elephants that the constant and close launch between them and places of residence
Leads to the elephants' intrusion into agricultural fields and villages, an intrusion that results in heavy damage
to acquire (and for the soul), it is important to find ways to keep the "pests" away from areas and communities,
One of the ways that is already partially used is...
Location of beehives around agricultural fields and settlements,
It turns out that the "method" is recognized and known in tradition,
The research validates the method and tries to explain it in measurable scientific terms.
"Esoteric"? "Marginal"? "Immaterial"? Maybe in your personal opinion,
"A matter for the public"? There is and there is!
I saw the laboratory program on Sunday on Channel One. They cited this article and spent a lot of time on the topic.
What a cool study!
Hezi, the question you ask was asked in the body of the article: - "They say that further research is needed to examine whether the calls serve as a "bee warning" or whether it is a more general warning."
What interest does the public have in such esoteric, marginal and insubstantial articles?!
Too bad about the virtual place...
If a bee decides to nest in an elephant's ear, he is lost. Not many are the dangers that threaten this large animal, and he does not need many special warnings
It is known that monkeys and other animals,
There are different warning sounds,
Depending on the type of danger that is being warned about.
What is interesting to check,
If these warning sounds are specific to the Deborim theme,
Or are they a general warning for a certain type of risk...
Why can the elephant knock down a wall while the wall cannot recognize an elephant?
Maybe we will place beehives around the public treasury to protect against the stinking elected officials...(-:
Now it's tested and proven: you can drive elephants crazy