An Attentive elephant plucking at vegetation, as if foraging, but typically not ingesting any of the material, or doing so in a desultory or distracted fashion. Performed in conflict situations such as in Aggressive, Submissive, Conflict & Confrontation, Courtship, and Social Play contexts when an individual shows incompatible tendencies, such as fleeing versus attacking.
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. He climbed up a bank to Attain-Higher-Ground, from where he threatened us Standing-Tall (Chin-Up and Ear-Spreading).
As this clips starts he Advances-Toward us in a kind of lunging movement, and does a Head-Dip and then he stands Contemplating us. He is unsure what to do next and appears to begin Displacement-Feeding. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)