Mary, the Asian elephant at Berlin Zoo, showcased remarkable skill when she was filmed using a hose to wash herself, demonstrating sophisticated self-care behaviors.
Researchers noted that Mary lifted her limbs and used her trunk to wash various parts of her body, indicating a level of understanding about hygiene that was previously thought to be unique to humans.
In an unexpected turn, Anchali, another elephant, attempted to sabotage Mary’s shower by clamping down on the hose, highlighting both teasing behavior and an understanding of Mary’s actions.
The ability of these elephants to exhibit goal-directed behavior using tools has critical implications for our understanding of animal intelligence, once thought to be limited to a few species.
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