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Cueing on distant conditions before migrating does not prevent false starts: a case study with African elephants
Anne Pandraud1, Adrian M Shrader1, Arnold Tshipa2,3
1Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Oecologia
|March 13, 2022
Summary
African elephants initiating their wet season migration rely on distant rainfall cues over local conditions. However, unpredictable tropical rains can lead to migration "false starts," with elephants returning to dry season ranges before eventually migrating successfully.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Migratory animals depend on environmental cues for seasonal movements.
- Tropical wet season rainfall is unpredictable, posing challenges for migration timing.
- The coping mechanisms and consequences of migration under unpredictable conditions are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how African elephants use local versus distant rainfall cues to initiate wet season migration.
- To determine the consequences of relying on potentially unreliable rainfall cues for migration.
- To understand the phenomenon of migration "false starts" in elephants.
Main Methods:
- Utilized time-to-event models analyzing GPS tracking data from 19 African elephant herds.
- Assessed the influence of local and distant rainfall events on migration initiation decisions.
- Quantified instances and conditions associated with migration "false starts."
Main Results:
- Elephants prioritized distant rainfall cues along their migration path over local conditions.
- Over 30% of herds experienced migration "false starts," returning to dry season areas.
- False starts were more common when subsequent rainfall during migration was minimal.
- All elephant herds eventually completed their migration later in the season.
Conclusions:
- African elephants exhibit sophisticated use of distant rainfall cues for migration initiation.
- Unpredictable tropical rainfall can lead to costly migration "false starts" in elephants.
- The study highlights the challenges of relying on rainfall as a sole cue in dynamic tropical environments.
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