Swinging of the trunk and body during intense social arousal to touch nearest neighbor relatives during Bonding, Coalition and Bunching behavior. Sometimes the reaching and touching may include Grasp-Trunk. The elephant(s) usually secrete Temporin and rumble softly to one another, while Head-Raising, Ear-Lifting and Rapid-Ear-Flapping. Engaged in primarily by adult and adolescent females.
A sub-section of the C family stands confronting us. Nomada appears to be trying to decide what to do. She stands Head-Swinging and then Reach-Touch to Corajosa before Head-Swinging again and departing and crossing the track behind us. Nomada crosses first but is rather unsure - she stands looking at us, Chin-Up and Ears-Spread. She Backs-Toward the others who are still on the other side of the track. She Reach-Touch Corajosa, as if to get her attention and, we believe, her assistance.
Corajosa Rapid-Ear-Flaps and Rumbles. Nomada turns to cross the track again with calves in tow and turns to face us with Ears-Spread. Corajosa then comes from the bushes on the left, and Sashays across the road. We hear more deep Rumbling. She Kicks-Dust and Charges with her Head-Low. She gives a Trumpet-Blast and does a Trunk-Bounce with her chopped trunk at then end of her Charge. Someone else also Trumpets and we hear more Rumbling as they disappear into the forest on the other side of the road.This is just before they cross the road and Corajosa Charges us. (Gorongosa, Mozambique)
