At one time there was a theory proposed that elephants were telepathic because they seemed to be able to coordinate their actions and movements when they could not see one another and did not make any sounds. Elephants would be spread out feeding and would all stop, come together and move off in one direction. If there was a predator in the area they would gather and surround the young ones to form a protective barrier. Of course we know now that they are not telepathic but they do communicate in a variety of ways.

When we were on safari we were in a blind beside a waterhole and I could hear low rumblings coming from the elephants. I asked our guide if that was their stomach and he said ‘no, they are talking to one another’. Elephant researchers have recorded these sounds and when they played them back individual elephants responded. It is like the sounds are directed to specific individuals.

Elephants also produce ultra low frequency sounds; sounds which are below the range of human hearing. ULF sounds can travel up to 6 miles and elephants within range can hear and interpret these sounds.

Elephants also can communicate seismically. Their feet are very sensitive to vibration and they can feel other elephants when they move, especially if they are moving fast. On hard ground these vibrations can travel up to 10 miles.

Elephants communicate visually too. Waving their trunks or flapping their ears signal other elephants as well and give a clue as to their level of stress or agitation.

Elephant researchers have recorded over 100 individual sounds are are discovering more all the time. We don’t know what they are saying but there is not much doubt they do communicate.