The basic unit of elephant life and child-rearing is a female-led family. Male elephants wander and provide no child care. Families usually remain together for life. The oldest female, or matriarch, is the family's decision-maker and repository of survival knowledge. Here, several families who know each other well are traveling together in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Families pace travel to their youngest babies; no child gets left behind.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
The basic unit of elephant life and child-rearing is a female-led family. Male elephants wander and provide no child care. Families usually remain together for life. The oldest female, or matriarch, is the family's decision-maker and repository of survival knowledge. Here, several families who know each other well are traveling together in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Families pace travel to their youngest babies; no child gets left behind.
Carl Safina
Part of the Pacific Northwest's killer whale L-pod group, with tall-finned 36-year-old male L-41 and 42-year-old L-22 at his left side, and two other pod-members, in Haro Strait, Washington.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
Part of the Pacific Northwest's killer whale L-pod group, with tall-finned 36-year-old male L-41 and 42-year-old L-22 at his left side, and two other pod-members, in Haro Strait, Washington.
Carl Safina
Baby elephant Petula gets assistance from two family members as they help the newborn stand for the first time in Amboseli National Park.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
Baby elephant Petula gets assistance from two family members as they help the newborn stand for the first time in Amboseli National Park.
Carl Safina
Killer whale family bonds remain strong and lifelong. In no other creature do all children — male and female — stay with their mother for the duration of their life.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
Killer whale family bonds remain strong and lifelong. In no other creature do all children — male and female — stay with their mother for the duration of their life.
Carl Safina
Though free to play and almost never disciplined, elephant babies are always near mom, under her watchful eye. Mud makes baby elephants happy.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
Though free to play and almost never disciplined, elephant babies are always near mom, under her watchful eye. Mud makes baby elephants happy.
Carl Safina
Male L-84 with a salmon in waters of Washington. Food sharing by post-menopausal killer whale mothers appears crucial to survival of their adult children, especially males, whose huge size and enormous fins greatly increase their food needs.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
Male L-84 with a salmon in waters of Washington. Food sharing by post-menopausal killer whale mothers appears crucial to survival of their adult children, especially males, whose huge size and enormous fins greatly increase their food needs.
Carl Safina
Trunks perform a combination handshake, hug and kiss as sisters greet in Amboseli National Park.
Family life of elephants and killer whales —
Trunks perform a combination handshake, hug and kiss as sisters greet in Amboseli National Park.
Carl Safina