Mate guarding, reproductive success and female choice in African elephants

Abstract

Male guarding of females, male mating success and female choice were studied for 8 years among a population of African elephants, Loxodonta africana. Males were not able to compete successfully for access to oestrous female until approximately 25 years of age. Males between 25 and 35 years of age obtained matings during early and late oestrus, but rarely in mid-oestrus. Large musth males over 35 years old guarded females in mid-oestrus. Larger, older males ranked above younger, smaller males and the number of females guarded by males increased rapidly late in life. Body size and longevity are considered important factors in determining the lifetime reproductive success of male elephants. Oestrous females exercised choice by soliciting guarding behaviour from musth, but not non-musth males. Females in mid-oestrus gave loud, very low frequency calls that may attract distant males and incite male-male competition. The behaviour of oestrous females resulted in their mating with males who were old, vigorous and healthy.