Elephants are herd animals. In the wild they live in families which keep close bonds despite covering large areas of land looking for food. They have a stable social order of family and extended family groups unmatched in the world of mammals. Experienced mother elephants that lead, protect and train the young.

The Elephant Matriarchy

Elephant life is governed by a matriarch (the top female herd leader); in a family and clan, all authority is vested in experienced mother elephants who demand respect and are acknowledged as herd leaders. They alone protect and lead the young; they maintain order and harmony in the group; they face the foe with courage and aggression. The large proud bulls also play a role in providing security, but they are not inclined to family life. They go their own way for long periods traveling alone or with groups of other males only to join at mating times with the females.

The core group is the family group, which consists of two to three older females and their offspring this group stays together even in large migratory herds.

Family groups usually number up to 20 or 30 animals of different ages. The leaders are usually sisters, who retain their association for life.