Grandmas make a huge difference to a baby elephants' survival

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/uos-gma021716.php

Public Release: 17-Feb-2016
Grandmas make a huge difference to a baby elephants' survival
University of Stirling

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Phyllis Lee, Behavioural Psychologist at the University of Stirling, said:

"We didn't think our study would find a very positive relationship between having a grandmother present and how well the daughters were doing in terms of their reproduction. However, our research found that old mothers have a strong effect on the reproduction of the daughters and granddaughters in their family.

"Having an experienced mother, one who knows how to respond to their calf's demands and how to keep them close by, makes a huge difference in whether a baby elephant survives- having a grandma adds much needed extra help. Females support each other and protect and care for calves as a group."

Prof Lee added: "Daughters of long-lived mothers lived longer themselves and had higher reproductive rates. In some large families, three generations of mother-daughter pairs reproduced simultaneously."

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