Forward-Trunk-Swing

A swinging or tossing of the trunk in the direction of an adversary typically while simultaneously blowing forcefully out through the trunk. Elephants may swing their trunks at other elephants or at smaller animals (e.g. egrets; ground-hornbills; warthogs, people) as a threat, to chase them away, or in play. Forward-Trunk-Swing may be employed by all age sex groups.

References: Kühme 1961; Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6 [Forward-Trunk-Swish], 100; Poole 1987a; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2004, Poole & Granli 2011; O’Connell-Rodwell et al 2011 [Trunk throw]. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Attacking & Mobbing, Conflict & Confrontation, Social Play

Forward-Trunk-Swing

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (1)

Valente, gf0013 on the right initiates a Group-Advance, which is taken over by Mwana Nzo, the tuskless, who Charges at us at the lead of the group. Note her Forward-Trunk-Swings at us. Someone is giving Trumpet-Blasts. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Forward-Trunk-Swing

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (2)

Valente, gf0013, leads a Group-Charge. As she Charges she lowers her head and drags and bounces her trunk along the ground in a Trunk-Bounce-Drag and ends with a Forward-Trunk-Swing. Each Forward-Trunk-Swings is associated with what she intends to be a Trumpet-Blast, though it comes out as more of a Snort. She returns to her family and they Bunch together and vocalize. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Forward-Trunk-Swing

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (3)

Mwana Nzo, gf0016, Charges at us at the lead of the group. Note her Forward-Trunk-Swings at us. Someone is giving Trumpet-Blasts. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Forward-Trunk-Swing

Context: Attacking & Mobbing (4)

A family group is by the KH4 Waterhole and are worried about the pod of hippos resting on the bank at the elephants' favorite 'beach'. The adult females have been Standing-Tall confronting the hippos who won't budge. Then a teenage male arrives (circled) and marches to the front and joins an adult female. He, too, is wary, Foot-Swinging. He approaches cautiously and Forward-Trunk-Swings at them. They still don't move. He backs off to Contemplate. Then he tries again, swinging at them. He reaches out and touches one of them and gets a fright and the elephants give up and depart. (Amboseli, Kenya)