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A male’s social world and behavior shifts with his fluctuating hormonal state, alternating between sexually inactive and sexually active phases. When testosterone levels are low, males tend to associate with other males in all-male groups in what we call “bull” or “bachelor” areas. There, they feed and rest, building up their strength, and reestablishing their friendships with close companions. As testosterone begins to rise, a male’s sexually active period begins and he leaves his companions to begin searching for receptive females. Males in their late 20s and early 30s begin to experience regular sexual cycles punctuated by “musth” - a heightened period of sexual activity marked by surging testosterone levels, aggression, and distinct behavioral displays - including temporal gland secretion, continuous urine dribbling, ear-waving, and a deep vocalization called a “musth rumble.” Males in their late teens and early 20s may also enter brief, opportunistic bouts of musth. These short-lived musth periods may last only a day or two, offering a temporary advantage: a chance to assert dominance, practice aggression, or even mate. However, if a higher-ranking musth male appears, the younger male’s musth ends almost immediately - his aggression fades, the dribbling stops, and he resumes a lower position in the hierarchy. In Amboseli, males have been observed in musth as young as 17 and as old as 63 years. #ElephantVoices #MaleElephants #Elephants #AnimalBehavior

Two female elephants rest standing side-by-side - their ears spread to catch the wind and keep their bodies cool in the heat of the day. • Want to learn more about elephant behavior? Visit our website www.elephantvoices.org or click the link in our bio. • #elephantvoices #theelephantethogram #elephantbehaviour #knowyourelephants #elephant

Over the past few days, our social media has been flooded with beautiful tributes to Craig and it’s been deeply moving to see just how much one elephant touched people around the world. These posts are a powerful reflection of who Craig was, and also a testament to those of us who have studied his kind and helped protect them. It is fitting to share that the film ‘Tusker: Brotherhood of Elephants’ premieres on Wednesday, January 14 at 8/7c @pbs and Youtube. Craig is one of the film’s main characters, portrayed as the wise old tusker, alongside Pascal and Esau - fellow Amboseli elephants representing different stages of a male elephant’s life. @joycehpoole's brother, @bobpoolefilms, his wife @ginapooleidaho, and @selengei’s husband @thomasastafford shot and co-produced the film. @elephantvoices also played a key role. @joycehpoole served as Scientific Advisor, while @selengei contributed behind-the-scenes photography and later worked as the Associate Producer, assisting with fact-checking and script annotation. We provided the recordings of elephant vocalizations, with @joycehpoole laying the soundtrack that brings the elephants' voices to life. Keep an eye out over the next few days, as we’ll be sharing more about the film. 🐘 Elephant ID: @amboseli_trust #TuskerBrotherhoodOfElephants #PooleFilms #Tusker #Elephants

It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the news that Craig has died of natural causes. We know this loss will hit you as deeply as it does us. Craig was an icon - a true ambassador for his species who touched the hearts of millions. He was unique in so many ways. The term super-tusker holds great significance for many, but Craig was so much more than his tusks. Ever the gentle giant, he embodied what it means to be an elephant: enduring, steadfast, patient, gentle, wise, and utterly beautiful. He was one for the ages and will go down in history. In his 53+ years, Craig endured two devastating waves of poaching and several droughts that wiped out many of his kind, a shrinking ecosystem, and, in later years, the mass tourism that both disturbed and helped protect him. Through it all, he remained steady and calm. Our hearts go out to the @amboseli_trust, who knew him his entire life; to the @biglifeafrica, who went above and beyond to protect him; and to the Amboseli community, who rallied around him to ensure his safety. It is sad to imagine Amboseli without Craig. It was as though he was was part of the landscape itself - constant, enduring and reassuring. His quiet presence beneath a familiar tree, sheltering from the midday heat, surrounded by his companions. Our hearts go out to them, as they must be feeling this loss more deeply than us all. Rest in peace and power, Craig. 🖤🐘

(No audio as the wind is horrible). Little E is 4 days old. He sees matriarch Grumpy Grandma, f0412, and her adolescent female (and allomother) V-Notch and walks rapidly toward them. As he arrives the adolescent female gives a Coo-Rumble and reaches out toward him. He tries to Suckle from Grumpy Grandma who uses her forefoot to

As we slow down and reflect, we’re reminded of how elephants, too, value moments of calm with their loved ones. Elephants often use touch to in their friendly interactions (as demonstrated here by two young males) - a beautiful reminder of connection at this time of year. 🐘

Wishing all our followers Happy Holidays and a Peaceful 2026. As always, we hope for a kinder, better year for elephants, everywhere. 🐘

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