this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2023
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Nature and Gardening
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It's not proven yet, they've just discovered certain correlations in elephant communication they are calling "names" because they seem to fit... but may yet turn out to be something else. Title should have been "elephants may have names for each other".
And speaking of that title, I look forward to "elephants have tails, just like cats" and "elephants have four feet, just like chairs".
I understand being frustrated about the title, it drives me insane as well. However I do imagine it can be pretty difficult for scienctists to publish anything directly spelling out the idea that animals are people. This sometimes gives me the impression that explaining it to the mainstream public in baby steps is the only way to go?
I would say if naming these correlations "names" helps the protection of elephants go ahead.