Social Cooperation/ Altruism

Elephants exhibit kin altruism and kin selection in the highly related family units. Older and/or post-menopausal elephants are a valuable resource for the family unit because of their experience. In particular, the matriarch uses her experience to guide the group, setting the pace and direction of the family unit's movement. If a matriarch is shot, the family unit will often stay with her and try to move her to safety. Due to continued gunfire, elephants sometimes risk their own lives while attempting to rescue an injured matriarch (Estes 1991).
Kin altruism as displayed by elephants is related to the long socialization periods of young elephants. The family unit cooperatively helps to raise a baby. In the absence of very harsh conditions, the group will slow down its pace for a mother and newborn baby (Moss 1982). Older siblings will often serve as alloparents (Moss 1982). Additionally, the family unit will engage in group defense if a baby who wandered off is in danger from a predator (Estes 1991).