Elephants have been observed avoiding situations where they expect pain, even before it occurs. This includes resisting medical procedures or avoiding known hazards. Their behavior suggests anticipation based on past experience. Anticipatory avoidance requires memory and future-oriented thinking. It goes beyond simple conditioning.
It matters because it shows elephants mentally project outcomes. They think ahead.
This challenges assumptions about animal foresight. Elephants don’t live only in the present moment.
Elephants may require extended trust-building after painful events. One negative experience can shape behavior for years.
Animal Cognition Journal (springer.com)