Elephants Display Clever Tool Use: Pranks and Showers

Elephants have long been known for their intelligence and tool use, but a recent study in the journal *Current Biology* highlights a fascinating new example seen in the Berlin Zoo's Asian elephants. **Mary, one of the elephants, uses a hose to give herself showers, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of using the tool effectively.** Her technique varies; Mary grasps the hose behind its tip for a stiff shower head effect or further up for a lasso maneuver when reaching her back. **The study took an unexpected turn when researchers observed another elephant, Anchali, seemingly executing pranks on Mary by manipulating the water flow.** Anchali subtly disrupts Mary’s showers by either kinking the hose or performing a 'trunkstand' to cut off the water supply. This behavior raised debates among researchers about whether Anchali's actions were intentional pranks or merely coincidental disruptions. The actions of these elephants underscore their cognitive and manipulative skills, offering a glimpse into their complex social interactions and potential for understanding cause and effect. The researchers, led by Michael Brecht and Lena Kaufmann from Humboldt University of Berlin, are keen to explore whether such behaviors are observed in wild elephants, raising questions about the social dynamics and playfulness in their natural habitats. **This study was funded by the European Research Council and adds a new dimension to our understanding of elephant intelligence and their capability for goal-directed behaviors.**