Alarmed-Trumpet

A shrill, short (less than a second in duration) breathy trumpet emitted when an elephant is startled, suddenly frighted or alarmed. Such trumpeting is more often emitted by younger elephants, and is linked with fearful or apprehensive postures and often associated with running.

For example, an elephant who is startled by the presence of a vehicle, or a calf who suddenly finds itself separated from care-givers, may emit a trumpet, or trumpets, with this quality. A calf or juvenile elephant who is separated from his or her family typically begins to call with a series of Separated-Rumbles. As a lost calf becomes increasingly distressed, the rumbling may escalate to shrill trumpeting or roaring.

References: Poole 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Calf Reassurance & Protection, Conflict & Confrontation

Alarmed-Trumpet

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (1)

This is a short clip from a longer sequence in which the Mabenzi family finds our tire tracks from 45 minutes earlier. Part of the family goes to get Mwana Nzo and Valente to help. As this clip begins, Valente reaches the track and begins to Sniff it. She is followed by a daughter who reaches the track and Trumpets in Alarm (Alarmed-Trumpet). Mwana Nzo moves up smartly to check the track. She sniffs and then Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car x 2 and then sniffs again and decides, correctly, that it is us - she turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like a Charge but is only a few Bow-Neck-Advance and then Kick-Dust. She reconsiders and begins Backing-Away and Touch-Ground. She turns and leads a Full-Retreat and adopts the Rear-Guard. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Alarmed-Trumpet

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (2)

This is a short clip from a longer sequence in which the Mabenzi family finds our tire tracks from 45 minutes earlier and is filmed from the perspective of Greg/Kate's car. Part of the family goes to get Mwana Nzo and Valente to help. As this clip begins, Valente reaches the track and begins to Sniff it. She is followed by a daughter who reaches the track and Trumpets in Alarm (Alarmed-Trumpet). Mwana Nzo moves up smartly to check the track. She sniffs and then Stands-Tall looking at Kate’s/Greg’s car x 2 and then sniffs again and decides, correctly, that it is us - she turns on us Standing-Tall and then begins a what looks like a Charge but is only a few Bow-Neck-Advance and then Kick-Dust. She reconsiders and begins Backing-Away and Touch-Ground. She turns and leads a Full-Retreat and adopts the Rear-Guard. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)