Behavior & Training
Behavior & Training
Case Report: Spontaneous Lactation and Allonursing in a Captive African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Date: December 2024
​Place: Erfurt Zoo
​Data provided by: Tina Risch, DVM
Introduction
Allomothering, the care of an infant by an individual other than the biological mother, is a well-known behavior in social animals, including African elephants (Loxodonta africana). However, allonursing—the act of an allomother providing milk to a non-biological calf—is rare and typically observed in females with previous reproductive experience. This case report describes an unusual instance of allomothering and allonursing by a nulliparous (never pregnant) adult female African elephant in a zoo setting.
Case Presentation
As a neonate, a male captive African elephant calf (Banjoko) started looking for drinking opportunities from 3 adult females, including its mother. When he was 5 month-old, the 29-year-old female herd member, named Csami, admitted him unrestrictedly (figure 1). Csami, a wild-caught elephant, arrived at the zoo at the age of four and had never been pregnant. The calf's biological mother, Chupa, continued to actively nurse her offspring while at the same time Csami's involvement progressively intensified. Notably, Csami had previously shown nurturing behaviors towards Chupa's older calf, a 4-year-old female. However, Csami's maternal instincts towards the youngest calf manifested to the extent that she began producing a milk-like fluid.
Figure 1. The 7-month-old African elephant calf, Banjoko, nursing from Csani, the allomother that never produced a calf herself (Erfurt Zoo, Germany, 2024)
Clinical Observations and Milk Analysis
A sample of the fluid secreted by Csami was collected and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, and pH levels. These values were compared to a milk sample obtained from Chupa. The results are summarized in Table 1.
The results indicate that Csami's milk-like fluid closely resembled Chupa's milk in composition, suggesting that the fluid could adequately support the calf's nutritional needs with regard to fat, protein and lactose.
Table 1. Comparative analysis of milk composition from Chupa (dam) and Csami (allomother).
Discussion
The phenomenon of allomothering is widely observed in species that rely on cooperative group dynamics, such as lions, seals, and elephants. While allonursing is less frequent, it has been documented in elephants, typically involving females with prior lactation experience. This case represents a rare instance of spontaneous lactation and allonursing by an elephant with no prior reproductive history.
The physiological mechanism behind Csami's lactation remains unclear but is must be linked to hormonal or social factors triggered by the presence of the calf. This behavior may enhance calf survival by providing supplemental nutrition and fostering stronger social bonds within the herd. To the best of our knowledge, this case is one of only two recorded instances of allonursing by a nulliparous elephant. The first case was reported from Gangala-na-Bodio Elephant station in Congo, documented by Harald H. Roth in 1961 (figure 2).
Figure 2. A 32-month-old African elephant nursing from an allomother that never produced a calf herself (Der Zoologische Garten, 1961)
Conclusion
This report highlights the complex social structures and nurturing behaviors of African elephants. Csami's spontaneous lactation and allonursing underscore the adaptability and cooperative nature of elephants in captivity.
Reference
Roth HH. Short communication. Der Zoologischen Garten 26, 1.2, pg 123. 1961.