Friendships that Last

It is often thought that elephant bulls live a fast and free lifestyle on the periphery of elephant society. But that's not quite the case. While young pubescent males are booted out of the family in their early teens, they end up forming close friendships with other males that are their age-mates and tag along behind their families for a few years making the most of the wise decisions of the matriarch, albeit at a short distance. Bull friendships are close and long lasting, and we've seen this played out often in Samburu by who they choose to keep company for months on end. It's only when hormones start swirling as they enter musth - a period of heightened sexuality and aggression - that their focus shifts over to females and other males become rivals rather than friends.

© Michael "Nick" Nichols