Group-Charge

Family group rushing en masse toward an adversary, other elephants, predators or other perceived threat in a highly coordinated manner and with hostile intent. In an Attacking & Mobbing context Group-Advance may be preceded by Freezing, Periscope-Trunk, Bunching, Head-Swinging, Standing-Tall and Reach-Touch and Rumbling.

A Group-Charge is the result of Coalition Building. Initiating individual(s) may rapidly approach their companion(s) coming along side her/them in parallel or face-to-face, they may vocalise in chorus, while High-Fiving - Rapid-Ear-Flapping, sometimes with Tusk-Clicking, Trunk-Twining and engaging in reciprocal Trunk-to-Mouth. Then, in unison, they Group-Charge the affronting individual.

In a Group-Charge against another group of elephants, it is typically an older female, often the matriarch, initiating the coming to aid of a younger family member who may have been kidnapped or attacked.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972:137-138; Poole 1996: 41, 144,145, 222; Ben-Shahar 1999; Poole & Granli 2003; Poole & Granli 2011 [Coalition-Run-After]. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Ear-Spreading, Trumpet-Blast and occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Attacking & Mobbing