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>> Elliott: Welcome to SourceFed. I’m Elliott Morgan, and that’s Lee Newton, and now we
all know each other so we’re gonna hang out and learn some stuff.
[music]
>> Elliott: African elephants can tell the differences between human languages. Said
one elephant, “Your move, dolphins.” >> Lee: Elephants can also move away from
people they consider a threat. Said one elephant, “Yeah, it’s stereotyping, but what are
we supposed to do?!” >> Elliott: Loxodonta Africana, which is the
proper/rap name for the elephants, are in danger because of us, and it is for this reason
that they’re so good at differentiating among us. Elephants at Amboseli National Park
were played recordings of Maasai men, as well as Kamba men. Maasai men are typically more
likely to pose threats to elephants, whereas Kamba men, not so much, they’re usually
like, employees of the national park, or they’re farmers.
>> Lee: The voices were saying, “Look, look over there, a group of elephants is coming.”
The recordings were played for hundreds of elephants. Now, when the Maasai men were heard,
the elephants freaked out. They started sniffing around, and they grouped together, and they
backed away. LIKE THIS. >> (Lee and Elliott huddle up next to each
other and cautiously walk away) >> Elliott: When the voices were from Maasai
but female, or children, they didn’t give a crap. Because even elephants know MEN SUCK.
>> Lee: Graeme Shannon, who co-authored the study, stated, “The ability to distinguish
between Maasai and Kamba men delivering the same phrase in their own language suggests
that elephants can discriminate between different languages.”
>> Elliott: Another interesting tidbit here is that the elephants would slowly back away
and not bolt off in random directions, which shows they have an ability to decipher what’s
going on around them. >> Lee: Lori Marino from Emory University
stated, “We have become a formal enemy of the elephants. They can not only make some
distinctions between us, but we are now on their list of species to watch out for.”
>> Elliott: GOOD JOB, HUMANS. We find out they’re supersmart adorable, goofy, lovable
creatures right after we make a terrible impression on them.
>> Lee: If you could own any zoo animal, what would it be?
>> Elliott: A chimpanzee, why would you even need to ask?
>> Lee: I was asking them. >> Elliott: Carry on.
>> Lee: I’m Lee. >> Elliott: I’m Elliott.
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