A musth male swings the upper portion of the ear stiffly and vigorously forward and backward. The speed and forcefulness of the swinging causes the lower, unsupported portion of the pinnae to flap even further forward and backward and upward. The motion creates a wave appearance across the ear. Ear-Waving is typically associated with Musth-Rumbling and may serve to waft scent of Musth-Temporal-Gland-Secretion toward other elephants.
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Pascal is in full musth and has been Mud-Splashing. As he walks off he Musth-Rumbles and Ear-Waves and engages in a bout of Trunk-Curling before disappearing from view. (Amboseli, Kenya)