Caretakers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo know from experience that Asian elephants are intelligent creatures, but they wanted to help officially document the problem-solving skills of the planet’s largest land mammal.
Thanks to Kandula, a young Asian elephant who was born and raised at the zoo, they’ve not only been able to scientifically study elephant intelligence, but they’ve also helped raise public awareness about the unchecked habitat loss and poaching that has led to the Asian elephants’ critically endangered status.
From Wild Inside the National Zoo: Elephant Intelligence.
Related reading about Kandula from 2011: Elephant Makes a Stool—First Known Aha Moment for Species.
Next: Watch a video of Kandula’s musical mom Shanthi.
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