Viewing the rare through public lenses: insights into dead calf carrying and other thanatological responses in Asian elephants using YouTube videos

Abstract

Documenting the behavioural repertoire of an animal species is important for understanding that species' natural history. Many behaviours such as mating, parturition and death may be observed only rarely in the wild due to the low frequency of occurrence, short duration and the species' elusiveness. Opportunistic documentation of rare behaviours is therefore valuable for deciphering the behavioural complexity in a species. In this context, digital platforms may serve as useful data sources for studying rare behaviours in animals. Using videos uploaded on YouTube, we document and construct a tentative repertoire of thanatological responses (death-related behaviours) in Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ). The most frequently observed thanatological responses included postural changes, guarding/keeping vigil, touching, investigating the carcass, epimeletic behaviours and vocalizations. We also describe some infrequently observed behaviours, including carrying dead calves by adult females, re-assurance-like behaviours and attempts to support dying or dead conspecifics, some of which were only known anecdotally in Asian elephants. Our observations indicate the significance of open-source video data on digital platforms for gaining insights into rarely observed behaviours and support the accumulating evidence for higher cognitive abilities of Asian elephants in the context of comparative thanatology.

Unravelling ceremonial calf burials among Asian elephants in Northeast India

“…Such indirect signs have been recorded in India (Sharma et al 2019) and Africa (Goldenberg and Wittemyer 2019), even though those observations were only limited to mourning and gathering. Also, the herds operated in small numbers, parallel to previous studies on Asian elephants (Pokharel and Sharma 2022) but contrary to African elephants (Silva et al 2017). Thus, due to the absence of a hierarchical structure among Asian elephants, we report commensurated efforts in the burial of the deceased conspecifics by the surviving herd members, unlike African elephants, where the agency works in hierarchical order (Sharma et al 2019).…”

“…Thus, a further comparison concerning 'visiting the carcass' cannot be made between Asian and African elephants. In natural setting, elephants have been reported to visit the burial site at various stages of decomposition both in Africa (Hawley et al 2016;Goldenberg and Wittemyer 2019;Rutherford and Murray 2020) and Asia (Pokharel and Sharma 2022). This case study shows the opposite behaviour altogether.…”

Prairie voles as a model for adaptive reward remodeling following loss of a bonded partner

“…24,25 and elephants exhibit multiple responsive behaviors following loss, included postural changes, guarding/keeping vigil, touching, investigating the carcass, epimeletic behaviors, and vocalizations. 23 However, the most commonly used laboratory animals-flies, worms, mice, and rats-do not form the long-lasting adult social bonds that are a prerequisite for loss. [13][14][15] Together, these hurdles have resulted in a limited understanding of a fundamental human experience and its underlying neurobiology.…”

“…This can involve dragging or carrying a dead corpse or more spontaneous and active behaviors, such as lifting a corpse up to the surface as if to help it breathe, and hauling, spinning, and diving with it. Chimpanzees have also been observed carrying deceased offspring for days to weeks, 20–22 and elephants exhibit multiple responsive behaviors following loss, included postural changes, guarding/keeping vigil, touching, investigating the carcass, epimeletic behaviors, and vocalizations 23 . However, the most commonly used laboratory animals—flies, worms, mice, and rats—do not form the long‐lasting adult social bonds that are a prerequisite for loss 13–15 .…”

Poor Welfare Indicators and Husbandry Practices at Lion (Panthera Leo) “Cub-Petting” Facilities: Evidence from Public YouTube Videos

“…YouTube studies are becoming more popular, employing publicly available video data to document, analyze, and gain information about animal behavior, animal welfare, husbandry practices, and captive living conditions that are difficult to otherwise record. As Pokharel et al (2022) state, “detailed description … requires the observer to be at the right place at the right time”, and despite the varied video durations and shortcomings in terms of more traditional data collection methods, social media can provide useful insights into “iEcology” and “promote public engagement in science” [ 14 ]. As with other forms of tourism, “selfie” culture abounds in cub petting, providing a sample of publicly available video clips taken at cub-petting facilities.…”