Female elephants often live decades after they stop reproducing. This post-reproductive lifespan is known as menopause. Instead of bearing calves, older females invest energy in leadership and knowledge sharing. Their experience improves herd survival. Menopause is extremely rare in the animal kingdom.
It matters because it highlights the evolutionary value of wisdom. Survival depends on knowledge, not just reproduction.
This reinforces the importance of older females in conservation. Protecting matriarchs protects entire herds.
Only a handful of species, including humans and some whales, exhibit true menopause. Elephant societies depend heavily on post-reproductive females.
Nature Ecology & Evolution (nature.com)