Elephants found using human style communication to 'talk' in new research

Elephants have long fascinated scientists for their intelligence, memory, and strong social bonds. From their ability to recognize themselves in mirrors to their deep family ties, they are often regarded as among the most cognitively advanced animals. Now, new research has revealed another layer to their complexity: elephants can use purposeful gestures to communicate in ways that closely resemble human and primate interaction.

How Researchers Rested Elephant Communication
The study, published in Royal Society Open Science by Eleuteri and colleagues (2025), observed 17 semi-captive African savanna elephants in Zimbabwe. Researchers set up a simple food experiment using trays of apples and monitored how the elephants signaled to human experimenters. Crucially, the elephants only gestured when the person was paying attention, a strong indicator that their actions were deliberate rather than reflexive.

When faced with partial rewards—such as receiving fewer apples than expected—the elephants persisted in their gestures. If repeating the same action failed, they tried new ones, demonstrating an ability to adapt their communication strategies depending on the observer’s response.

A Rich Repertoire of Signals
Across the study, elephants produced 38 distinct gesture types and more than 300 individual gestures. These included trunk pointing, posture changes, and directed movements toward the human or the apples. Importantly, they did not signal toward empty trays, underscoring the goal-driven nature of their actions.

This behavior pattern—persisting after incomplete results, relaxing after full success, and abandoning efforts when no reward was possible—closely resembles intentional communication found in humans and apes.

Implications for Understanding Animal Cognition
Researchers describe this as evidence of “first-order intentionality,” meaning the gestures were designed to influence another individual’s behavior. By monitoring attention and shifting tactics when needed, elephants displayed advanced social intelligence and cognitive flexibility.

The findings go beyond theory, with practical applications for conservation and welfare. Recognizing that elephants use intentional signals can help improve interactions in reserves, veterinary care, and community areas where humans and elephants often meet. Treating these gestures as communication rather than random movement may reduce conflict and enhance animal welfare.

Although this study centered on human–elephant interactions in controlled conditions, scientists stress the importance of examining these behaviors in the wild. Field research could uncover how elephants use similar gestures within their herds during movement, bonding, or conflict resolution.

As Earth.com staff writer Eric Ralls highlighted in his report on the study, elephants do not swing their trunks at random. Their gestures have purpose, adapting with context and feedback, which adds to the broader picture of their communication that already includes sound, touch, and scent.