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On previous EleFact Fridays we’ve discussed how elephants can communicate via vibrations that they feel in their feet. Today’s EleFact takes that idea a little further and looks at whether elephants can be located by scientists not just by their vocalizations, but also by these seismic waves. 

Researchers examined the differences between audible and seismic communications and found that vibrational signals were actually more accurate than acoustic ones in tracking down elephants. When looking at the same event – a rumble – through sound versus through vibration, vibrations were more accurate in locating elephants over 85% of the time. 

When examining the data, researchers found that there’s a possibility that there are advantages of using seismic waves to locate and follow elephants over methods like GPS tracking or wildlife camera surveillance. Seismic sensors are easy to bury, while acoustic microphones are placed above ground and have the potential to be exposed to winds, rain, solar radiation, or be damaged by wildlife. Vibrations can travel in all directions and are also more effective in areas of thick vegetation, where cameras can’t be placed.

All of this information can inform decisions made regarding human and elephant interactions, which are increasingly important when considering climate change, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. 

To view the data used in this study, you can read the paper here:

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2021.0264

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