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World Elephant Day: 5 lesser-known facts about elephants

Updated On: 12 August, 2024 02:43 PM IST | Social Media

On World Elephant Day, Every year August 12, is celebrated as World Elephant Day across the globe to reaffirm mankind's collective pledge to conserve one of the most iconic species on the planet. This year's theme is personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance and environmental importance

Elephants bathe in a river, near an elephant orphanage in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka. Pic/PTI

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Elephants bathe in a river, near an elephant orphanage in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka. Pic/PTI
An elephant's trunk has a unique pattern of ridges and wrinkles, much like human fingerprints. These patterns can be used to identify individual elephants

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An elephant's trunk has a unique pattern of ridges and wrinkles, much like human fingerprints. These patterns can be used to identify individual elephants

Elephants have remarkable memories, which help them remember the locations of water sources, migration routes, and the faces of other elephants. This ability is crucial for their survival, especially in challenging environments

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Elephants have remarkable memories, which help them remember the locations of water sources, migration routes, and the faces of other elephants. This ability is crucial for their survival, especially in challenging environments

Elephants use a variety of vocalisations and sounds to communicate, including low-frequency rumbles called infrasound that can travel several miles. They also use their trunks, ears and body language to convey messages

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Elephants use a variety of vocalisations and sounds to communicate, including low-frequency rumbles called infrasound that can travel several miles. They also use their trunks, ears and body language to convey messages

Elephants are known to show empathy towards others. They have been observed comforting distressed or grieving companions, and they may even help injured or sick members of their herd

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Elephants are known to show empathy towards others. They have been observed comforting distressed or grieving companions, and they may even help injured or sick members of their herd

Elephants are among the few animals that walk with a "pacing" gait, where the legs on the same side of the body move together. This gait helps them support their large weight and conserve energy over long distances

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Elephants are among the few animals that walk with a "pacing" gait, where the legs on the same side of the body move together. This gait helps them support their large weight and conserve energy over long distances

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Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

PM Narendra Modi joins hands with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and others during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

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