At the Berlin Zoo, astounding scenes are taking place as researchers observe the remarkable intelligence of elephants, particularly through the playful yet sophisticated behavior of Mary, the 50-year-old Asian elephant, and her younger companion, Anchali. Recently, Mary has been seen using a water hose to effectively shower herself, skillfully maneuvering the tool with her trunk, demonstrating both her adaptability and problem-solving skills.
This fascinating behavior was caught on camera, showing Mary methodically using the hose to wash her head, ears, back, and legs, all without any guidance or training from zookeepers. According to researchers at Humboldt University of Berlin, Mary's actions are not just instinctual; they represent pronounced goal-directed behavior akin to tool use previously attributed only to humans and other select animals like chimpanzees and dolphins. Lena Kaufmann, the researcher who documented Mary's hose-wielding prowess, remarked on the unexpected complexity of this action, stating, "Mary's very skillful behavior with this water hose made us think... they may have somewhat (an) intuitive understandings of hoses, potentially due to the similarities with their own trunks."
Not far from the scene, the younger elephant, Anchali, displayed her own intelligence by attempting to "sabotage" Mary's shower by manipulating the hose. She was observed performing impressive feats such as kinking and clamping the hose, effectively trying to cut off the water supply. Kaufmann noted, "The surprise was certainly Anchali's kink-and-clamp behavior. Nobody had thought she'd be smart enough to pull off sucha trick." This rather cheeky interaction between the two elephants not only raises eyebrows but also leads researchers to ponder some intriguing questions about elephant cognition and social dynamics.
Dr. Michael Brecht, the head of Kaufmann's research team, expressed his delight at witnessing Mary’s play with the hose, stating, "When I saw Anchali’s kink-and-clamp for the first time, I broke out in laughter." He elaborated, considering the underlying motivations of Anchali's actions, commenting, "Do elephants play tricks on each other?" The experimental scenarios set within the enclosure revealed fascinating insights, particularly with both elephants showing varying degrees of aggression during their interactions.
This study emphasizes the impressive capabilities of elephants, especially how Mary adapted her hose techniques according to the hose's size. The researchers observed her flexibility when using different sizes, with Mary showering primarily with the standard hose diameter of 24mm and not using the thicker 32mm hose much at all. This adaptability showcases not only her intelligence but also her ability to make judgments based on the tools available to her.
The findings, published in the journal Current Biology, highlight both the flexibility of elephants and their capacity to wield objects like hoses with precision similar to how humans might utilize various tools. This extensive adaptability links them closely to cognitive behaviors, often operant only among the most intelligent species. Kaufmann pointed out, "It's not clearly answerable whether Anchali's goal was to stop the water," which furthers the complexity of their interactions and communication.
Mary's behavior is extraordinary, but it's Anchali's tactics during the shower sessions which have intensified discussions within the research community. For example, during one incident, Anchali performed what researchers coined as "trunkstands," positioning herself onto the hose and effectively blocking Mary from the water flow. Dr. Brecht stated, "Anchali's effectiveness increased as she grew more familiar with this complicated task—stopping the flow for increasingly long periods," moving their interactions from simple camaraderie to more deliberate social playfulness.
Interestingly, elephants are equipped with about 150,000 muscle units within their trunks, potentially making them the most dexterous creatures on earth. This anatomical feature complements their heightened sensitivity toward their surroundings, allowing fine manipulation of objects, ranging from grabbing food to handling the intricacies of hose play. Kaufmann described the water hose as being “an ‘exceptionally complex tool,’ as it is flexible, can extend, and has water flowing through it.” This certainly puts Mary’s showering skills at the forefront of remarkable natural behaviors.
The dynamic relationship between Mary and Anchali also hints at the competitive nature among elephants. Caretakers have noted Mary’s dominant personality, often showing irritation toward younger elephants. Kaufmann noted, "She doesn't particularly like the young ones and gets annoyed quickly," establishing more depth to their interactions as possibly competitive rather than innocent mischief. If Anchali views Mary as both mentor and rival, their interactions may be reflective of complex social structures prevalent among elephants, especially when they engage socially outdoors.
Despite the playful misery of Anchali's efforts, the researchers have not overlooked how this social interaction could be intrinsic to the development of their relationships. They ponder if Anchali’s antics are just innocent fun or cunning attempts at play, leading to the question of whether such social games are part of common behavior among elephants, even outside the zoo environment.
Throughout the observations, the zookeepers documented not just behaviors but preferences made evident by the elephants. For example, they discovered Mary had dominant lateral preferences when using the hose, favoring the left side of her body, similar to human handedness. Considering this aspect might shed light on individual differences compared to the collective social behaviors among the herd.
So, as we watch Mary reigning as the queen of showering and Anchali dabbling as her playful disruptor, it becomes clear these fascinating observations from Berlin Zoo not only challenge our perceptions of animal intelligence and social interactions but also provide anecdotal evidence to the rich, complex social structures existing within animal communities. Perhaps, as Dr. Brecht concluded on the subject, we are treated to both humor and intelligence all wrapped up at one zoo, questioning whether we've underappreciated the social games and hones skills of more than just our human communities.
With new research paving the way to more questions than answers, one thing is certain: the delightful antics of Mary and Anchali will continue to inspire awe and admiration—not just from the visitors but also from the scientific community.
