Just like humans, elephants bury their members after they die. Indian scientists have seen elephants holding mass “funerals” several times. They also loudly express their grief.
Scientists examined five occasions in 2022 and 2023 when Asian elephants said goodbye to certain deceased species. This mainly concerns young elephants that died naturally, the scientists wrote in the journal Biological Sciences Journal of Threatened Species.
The “burial” took place in the Bengal region in eastern India. At least fifteen to twenty elephants attended each ceremony. It was striking that the elephants did not seem to be shy of people. One of the burials took place a few hundred meters from the village.
The researchers watched how the deceased baby elephants were transported by their herd to a special place. There they were placed on their backs and buried under the sand. Their legs and torso remained above the ground.
The gathered elephants mourned their deceased relatives loudly. They howled and trumpeted loudly with their trunks. After the ritual, which lasted about forty minutes, the remaining elephants did not return to the burial site.
Burials are not unique within the animal kingdom, but they are uncommon. In addition to humans and elephants, chimpanzees and ants also bury their deceased relatives. Unlike humans and elephants, they do not throw an elaborate “ceremony.”
James Anderson is a contributor at Houstonian Online, covering news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. He focuses on clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and stories that matter to local and broader communities.