First disclosure and preliminary investigation of a liquid released from the ears of African elephants

This report is the first documentation, both behaviorally and chemically, o f a phenomenon observed among African elephants (Loxodonta africana) whereb y a sudden, often stream-like discharge of liquid is seen from the auricula r orifice. During this initial investigation, multiple samples of the fluid have been collected for analysis of physical properties and components. Tr ace organic chemicals that are apparently of elephant origin have been iden tified in the ear liquid, and the aqueous nature of the liquid has been dem onstrated. The continuing objectives of this work and related studies are t o determine the specific source of the liquid with particular focus on a se arch for auricular glands, to further characterize potential conspecific ch emical signals, and to document more precisely particular social situations when this phenomenon occurs. Zoo Biol 19:475-480, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Lis s, Inc.