Husky-Cry
A short, hoarse or husky sounding call produced by a newborn elephant when distressed. Husky-Cries range from barely audible, low-intensity sounds that are less than a second long, to surprisingly powerful abrupt and gravelly sounds that may last up to 1.5 seconds. We refer to the softer version as a Low-Intensity-Husky-Cry and the louder type as a High-Intensity-Husky-Cry. These are the first calls produced by newborn elephants and are commonly heard in a group with newly born calf. Family members rapidly come to the aid of the calling infant, touching it and rumbling softly to it with Coo-Rumbles. Infant produced these calls up to about 2 months in age.
References: Poole & Granli 2003; Stoeger-Horwath et al 2007 [Grunt]; Poole 2011. (Full reference list)
This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Birth, Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection, Protest & Distress
