People greet each other in various ways, such as saying "hello" in different languages or through physical actions like shaking hands, giving hugs, or exchanging kisses. Similarly, elephants have various greetings, as revealed by a recent study conducted on African elephants in Zimbabwe's Jafuta Reserve. "Female elephants of different family groups might have strong social bonds（纽带）with each other, forming what we call bond groups," said Vesta Eleuteri of the University of Vienna, the lead writer of the study. "Earlier studies in the wild have reported that when these groups meet, the elephants perform special greetings to announce and strengthen their social bonds. "
The study identified around 20 specific movements related with elephant greetings, often accompanied by different sounds as well. Smell also plays a crucial role in greetings, with elephants exhibiting behaviors like emitting（排放）body waste. Besides, elephants make gestures（动作）meant to be seen, such as spreading their ears or displaying their behinds, and employ touching gestures involving touching other elephants. They actually show an understanding of what other elephants can see, using visual gestures when their partner is looking and touching gestures when they are not.
Similar greeting behavior has been observed in various animals, which helps manage social situations by reducing tension or confirming social bonds. The study observed both female and male elephants in the reserve, with female greetings closely matching those of wild elephants, while male greetings appeared different. Wild male elephants often don't form close connections with others but use their noses to touch the heads of other elephants, giving off a chemical called temporin containing important information.
Elephant greetings play an important part in communication and social bonding among these intelligent creatures. Through their gestures, sounds, and smells, elephants deliver important. information about their identity, physical state, and emotional well-being.
