Orient-Away

Reorientation of the body to face or look away from another elephant, animal or object of interest. Displayed by all age/sex groups.

References: Poole 1982; Poole 1987a; Poole 1989a; Poole & Granli 2003 [Turn-Away]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Affiliative, Avoidance, Foraging & Comfort Technique, Submissive

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (1)

In this slo-mo clip gf0028 (tuskless on the left) moves toward other members of her family with her 5.5 year old male calf in tow. She joins tusklesses gf0030 and gf0029 as another, slightly larger, male approaches. As he Advance-Toward gf0029 she Ear-Slaps and Orients-Away as she Head-Shakes. After the end of the clip: They continue to move away; gf0004, a larger tuskless, appears in frame and likely initiated this movement. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (2)

G7 makes a long and purposeful Advance-Toward gm0016 who Orients-Away and Looks-Back while Retreating-From. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (3)

G7 joins the Mabenzi family. As he arrives he sees Gogogo in musth and he stops and Look-At. As Gogogo Advance-Toward G7 he Backs-Away and then Orient-Away. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (4)

An adolescent male Orient-Away giving way to a large adult female as she exists the mud wallow. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (5)

Ruby's 7 year old male Orients-Away from an adult female as she approaches with her calf. He has a branch in his trunk and he is likely ensuring no one takes it is as well as being submissive to her. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (6)

A 9 year old female (foreground) Solicits-Food from younger 7 year female (background) who is feeding on a branch. The younger female Orients-Away, but then appears to purposefully drop the pieces of the branch she was holding that the older juvenile was soliciting in a possible act of Food-Sharing. She picks up one of the pieces and continues to Orient-Away, while the older female picks up the other piece she had dropped. Something else catches their attention and they stand together Listening and Sniffing. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (7)

Meeting between two families. Grumpy Grandma's (gf0412) family is resting under a tree when a new family arrives. Little E, only 9 days old, has wandered away and Mama Little E and others look concerned when they see a large adult female, Kim (f0256), arriving.
This is the stage where in other footage we see Kim Ear-Fold at the resting group. Kim Advances-Toward and reaches her Trunk-Toward the group and V-Notch Orients-Away. Then Kim reaches her Trunk-to-Genitals of Mama Little E, who seems to Rump-Present to Kim in a movement that seems designed to offer shelter to Little E and Orients-Away. To the left of Mama Little E allomother, Lorato, is looking alert and Grumpy Grandma takes a few steps away. Little E goes back to his exploring. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (8)

Mama Little E (left), and allomother V-Notch are seen standing with Little E. An adolescent male approaches and is seen to Trunk-Toward their genitals. He steps back as if to go behind V-Notch to Mama Little E and we see him reach Trunk-to-(her)Genitals. We can see her Eyes-Wide as she monitors the movements of the male and then Orient-Toward him as she Waits for Little E and then Orient-Away and Retreat-From, Shepherding Little E away. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Orient-Away

Context: Submissive (9)

Two young males are Sparring. While Sparring is typically playful this bout becomes rough. The male on the right Orients-Away and Retreat-From the male on the left, who adopts a threatening posture with his ears held stiffly forward as he Advances-Toward the retreating male. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)

Orient-Away

Context: Foraging & Comfort Technique (1)

Elephants are feeding. A juvenile male reaches Trunk-to-Mouth to a young adult female; she Orients-Away from him and continues feeding. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)