Digging Deeper: Understanding the Calf Burials Behaviour among Asian Elephants in North Bengal

Abstract This case study, inspired by the work of Kaswan and Roy, provides critical insights into the thanatological behaviour of elephants, specifically in the North Bengal landscape. It serves as an important resource for private sanctuary managers, elephant handlers, and conservationists worldwide, raising awareness of elephants’ intelligence, emotional depth, and strong bonds with their herd members. The study reveals a unique behaviour among elephants in a specific area, where they bury deceased calves in 2-foot-deep irrigation drains within tea gardens. This region, featuring fragmented forests, tea estates, and small towns, serves as a natural corridor for elephants. The calves are buried in a ‘leg-upright’ position, indicative of how the herd uses their trunks and legs to manipulate the bodies. Two calves died from fungal infections, while three faced respiratory failure, yet all were buried similarly. Contusion marks suggest the herd dragged the calves over a distance before burial, highlighting their collective handling of the bodies. This burial behaviour is likely driven by several factors, including the particularly strong mother-calf bond seen in elephants which may motivate the herd to engage in mourning and burial. The unique environmental conditions in North Bengal, combined with the elephants’ complex social and emotional behaviours, create a remarkable example of interspecies empathy and care, offering valuable lessons for global conservation and elephant management efforts. Information © The Authors 2025