266/366 Out of Africa

I found this soapstone elephant in South Africa late 70s.

120 pictures in 2020/39 Elephant Appreciation Day

Elephants develop remarkably close and strong family bonds. Led by a matriarch, elephants group themselves (usually 10 to 70 individuals) into complex social structures of females and calves. Male elephants tend to live in isolation. A single calf is born to a female once every four to five years and after a gestation period of 22 months—the longest of any mammal. These calves stay with their mothers for years and are also cared for by other females in the group...

Scientists believe elephants’ great memories have something to do with their physically large brains. An average adult African elephant’s brain weighs approximately 10.5 pounds—the largest of all land mammals. In comparison, according to the University of Washington, the brains of humans and bottlenose dolphins—two other mammals considered to be “smart”—weigh about three pounds. Of course, a large brain doesn’t necessarily mean an animal will be intelligent.

Researchers have found, however, that elephants exhibit many behaviors that reveal substantial intelligence, as well, including altruism, grief, mimicry, play, self-awareness and tool use.
nathab.com/blog/esteeming-elephants-september-22-is-national-elephant-appreciation-day/