ELEPHANTS CALL EACH OTHER BY NAME

A new study claims elephants call out to each other using individual names. While dolphins and parrots have been observed addressing each other by mimicking the sound of others from their species, elephants are the first non-human animals known to use names that do not involve imitation. In the study, a team of international researchers used an artificial intelligence algorithm to analyze the calls of two wild herds of African savanna elephants in Kenya. They found that elephants use specific vocalizations for each individual, and recognize and react to a call addressed to them while ignoring calls addressed to others.
* They also found that elephants have cruel nicknames for each other, like, “Hey, big ears!” and “How’re ya doin’, tiny trunk?” It’s like men-talk at a barber shop.
* When asked HOW they get their names – WHO gives them their names: their parents? the herd? themselves? – the researchers suddenly had to go take an important phone call.
* Elephants can call each other, but they have a lot of trouble with the touchpad on their iPhones.
* Finally, something from AI that’s useful in our daily lives.