Researchers at the CUNY Graduate Center and Hunter College have found that Asian elephants can suppress impulsive behaviors and adjust their actions when circumstances change—a cognitive ability that may help explain the animals’ sophisticated problem-solving skills and social behavior. The findings could ultimately contribute to conservation strategies aimed at reducing conflict between elephants and people, particularly in areas of Asia where elephants and human communities increasingly share the same landscapes.

It’s a remarkable act of impulse control

Para evaluar este comportamiento, el equipo sometió a dieciséis elefantes asiáticos a unas pruebas en el Instituto Nacional del Elefante en Tailandia.