A Demonstration of Elephant Communication at Elephant Nature Park by SaoYai and Mae Lanna

Mon 26 Jun 23
News from Elephant Nature Park

This video recorded by Darrick called “Elephants speak affectionately with one another without a syllable perceptible to us”, shows 2 female elephants SaoYai and Mae Lanna, standing apparently silent, not making a sound in the currently gentle flowing water of the Mae Taeng River at Elephant Nature Park.

But elephants communicate with body language movements as well as vocalisations, some of which are outside of human audio recognition. These sounds are called Infrasonic or Infrasound.

The discussion that SaoYai and Mae Lanna are having is mesmerising to watch.

Infrasound (Source – Elephant communication – Wikipedia)

Elephants can produce infrasonic calls which occur at frequencies less than 20 Hz. Infrasonic calls are important, particularly for long-distance communication, in both Asian and African elephants. For Asian elephants, these calls have a frequency of 14–24 Hz, with sound pressure levels of 85–90 dB and last 10–15 seconds. For African elephants, calls range from 15 to 35 Hz with sound pressure levels as high as 117 dB, allowing communication for many kilometres, with a possible maximum range of around 10 km (6 mi).

At Amboseli National Park several different infrasonic calls have been identified:

Greeting rumble – is emitted by adult females members of a family group that have united after having been separated for several hours.
Contact call – soft, unmodulated sounds made by an individual that has been separated from the groups have 2 km (1.2 mi).
Contact answer – made in response to the contact call; starts out loud, but softens toward the end.
“Let’s go” rumble – a soft rumble emitted by the matriarch to signal to the other herd members that it is time to move to another spot.
Musth rumble – distinctive, low-frequency pulsated rumble emitted by musth males (nicknamed the “motorcycle”).
Female chorus – a low-frequency, modulated chorus produced by several cows in response to a musth rumble.
Postcopulatory call – made by an oestrous cow after mating.
Mating pandemonium – calls of excitement made by a cow’s family after she has mated.

Gentle touches of 2 rescued elephants in the forest at Elephant Nature Park

A short video dedicated to best friends, MaeLanna and SaoYai, as they happily explore the jungle hills, foraging, trumpeting, and interlocking trunks.

Sat 06 Jan 24

Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary Lets Elephants Be Elephants

Witness the wonderful ways that elephants interact with each other when allowed the freedom to be themselves. Let elephants be elephants!

Thu 26 Oct 23

We can learn so much from elephants

Today, as RattanaKham, AuengKham, and HomNuan finished their bath in the river, they started to walk back. However, RattanaKham and AuengKham quickly realized their friend wasn't with them. They stopped in their tracks, emitting low rumbles and trumpets to HomNuan, who promptly responded to their calls and rushed to her friends' calls.

Sat 30 Sep 23

Flashback Friday 15 September 2023: Medo’s Life Before & After Rescue

Medo once lived with her two best friends, Mae Lanna and SaoYai. But the climb up the mountain eventually became too much for her and she developed friendships with SookJai (who has since passed away) and Gemsai, with whom she enjoys that company. She is a calm, easy-going elephant with an indomitable spirit, enjoying her life in the sanctuary of the park.

Fri 15 Sep 23

Mintra demonstrates how to herd cattle at Elephant Nature Park

Mintra, a veteran cow herder, demonstrates to Kratae, a novice, just how to move cows effectively! Oftentimes, a large group of cows not under the care of Elephant Nature Park, will drift along the opposite side of the river grazing peacefully. This hasn’t sat well with many of our elephants, with Mintra being the one most incensed by these interlopers onto what she deems her turf.

Tue 05 Sep 23

Fascinating Elephant Communication at Elephant Nature Park

At Elephant Nature Park, visitors can often see younger elephants being surrounded, guided, caressed and protected by other elephants. This caring behaviour of elephants being attentive to the care and well being of other elephants, especially younger elephants we call Nanny Behaviour.

Thu 31 Aug 23

Elephant Conversation, deep intelligence and social bonds at Elephant Nature Park

Wanmai, Baitoey, Meeboon, Maemai, and SriNuan greet each other with their rumbles, and trunk touches which convey deep affection. Their conversations are rich and filled with emotion, a testament to the deep intelligence and social bonds of these magnificent creatures.

Wed 30 Aug 23

Elephant friends FaaMai MaeLanna and SaoYai relax in the evening after a busy day

Whenever the opportunity arises, FaaMai will join with MaeLanna, and SaoYai at the end of the day. FaaMai is a friendly soul, and always non-threatening to whomever she comes into contact - our true elephant Ambassador - whereas SaoYai can be a more challenging subject when it comes to interpersonal relations. But look how these 3 enjoy each other's company ! They are quite fond of each other, fully content with their time together in the river at Elephant Nature Park.

Mon 24 Jul 23