Elephants engage in play behaviors such as chasing, mock fighting, sliding on mud, and throwing objects. These actions don’t provide immediate survival benefits. Play occurs in both calves and adults. Scientists believe play strengthens social bonds and cognitive flexibility. It’s a sign of psychological well-being.
It matters because play indicates emotional health. Stressed animals rarely play.
It also reinforces the need for space and stimulation in elephant habitats. Deprived environments reduce natural behaviors.
Adult elephants have been observed initiating games with calves. Play often increases after stressful events, acting as emotional release.
BBC Wildlife (bbc.com)