Elephant calves depend on adults for many years, often over a decade. They learn social rules, migration routes, and survival skills gradually. Extended childhood allows for brain development and learning. This slow growth mirrors human development more than most animals. Knowledge is taught, not instinctive.
It matters because long childhoods create strong social bonds. Learning is central to survival.
It also explains why disruptions affect young elephants deeply. Losing teachers means losing knowledge.
Calves are cared for by multiple females, not just mothers. This “allomothering” spreads responsibility and learning.
Save the Elephants (savetheelephants.org)