Attain-Higher-Ground

An elephant threatening another (elephant or non-elephant) by climbing up a bank, onto an anthill or termite mound, or by standing on a log, to appear taller and larger. From its vantage point, the elephant Stands-Tall, Ear-Spreading, and looks down at its rival or perceived threat. All age/sex groups may engage in Attain-Higher-Ground.

References: Poole & Granli 2011. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Chin-In, Chin-Up, Ear-Spreading, Head-High, Kick-Dust, Look-At and occurs in the following context(s): Aggressive, Conflict & Confrontation

Attain-Higher-Ground

Context: Social Play (1)

Adult male gm0049 and Large adult female gf0061 engage in a longish bout of Sparring. This clip is a short section of that interaction during which gf0061 climbs up the embankment to Attain-Higher-Ground. Soon thereafter gm0049 follows her to reduce her advantage. Later gf0061 young son follows them up. He is interested in their interaction. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Attain-Higher-Ground

Context: Social Play (2)

Two juvenile males engage in a bout of rather rough Sparring. In the video I can be heard to say that one, the larger, was female, due to "her" square head and long thin tusks, but I later saw that "she" was a he. He was quite aggressive Ear-Folding, audibly Slapping the other with a punching movement.
They separate and then the aggressor climb up a termite mound and Advances-Toward the other male while Ear-Folding and Ear-Spreading.He stays up there Looking-At the other male. After the end of the clip he descends the termite mound and Lunges at the other male Pushing him back. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Attain-Higher-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (1)

Prior to the start of this clip, adult male, gm0040, Aloisio, Advanced-Toward our vehicle and came to investigate us in a mildly threatening manner, reaching his Trunk-Toward us sniffing, and Standing-Tall while Ear-Spreading. Then, as this clip starts, he climbs up a bank to Attain-Higher-Ground, from where he threatens us Standing-Tall (Chin-Up and Ear-Spreading). He Advances-Toward us in a kind of lunging movement, and does a Head-Dip and then he stands Contemplating us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Attain-Higher-Ground

Context: Conflict & Confrontation (2)

Musth male, Rui, stands Listening and then Advances-Toward us while Ear-Spreading. He walks to a termite mound to Attain-Higher-Ground and Stands-Tall. Notice how he does a Head-Dip-Touch-Ground before going up the mound. On the mound he stands Foot-Lifting before he does another Head-Dip-Touch-Ground and goes back off the mound. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)

Attain-Higher-Ground

Context: Aggressive (1)

Two males are in a confrontation and one has advantage in height standing above the other on the bank of the swamp. He Stands-Tall, Head-High, Chin-In, Ear-Folding, Looking-At his rival. Twice he starts to depart and the lower male threatens him and he returns to Kick-Dust. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Attain-Higher-Ground

Context: Aggressive (2)

During an Escalated-Contest Tee-Jay Advances-Toward Gordon and climbs a termite mound to Attain-Higher-Ground. He Stands-Tall and does a Head-Toss. Gordon Looks-At him and Backs-Away. They stand there. Tee-Jay comes down and they circle around and swamp places. Gordon climbs the same mound to Attain-Higher-Ground and Reaches-High and then backs down. (Amboseli, Kenya)