An undulating Rumble of medium duration (~1.5-3.5 seconds) with an audibly detectable and distinctive complaining or whining tone. We refer to this as a Grumble-Rumble. This call is typically heard when the calling elephant, often a calf or younger elephant, has been thwarted or mistreated in some manner.
For example, when a mother denies a Begging calf access to her breast, the calf may escalate Begging-Rumbles into a more modulated or undulating and sometimes open-mouthed Grumble-Rumble. A calf gently Tusked, Head-Swiped or Pushed out of the way may Grumble-Rumble. We have also recorded a semi-captive elephant Grumble-Rumble when prevented by her caregivers from going to the roadside where she was accustomed to begging for food from tourists.
Orphans are out for a walk with their keepers. Malaika has gotten into a habit of being fed by tourists. She tries to head in the direction of the road, but her keepers block her path and speak to her in a stern voice. Malaika emits a long Grumble-Rumble as her keeper prevents her from going where she wants; note characteristic undulating pattern. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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Among the orphans in the night stockade. Malaika is bothering Lewa, constantly touching him. Some of the Rumbles Lewa makes in a series of calls sound like a calf's normal response to being touched, while a more complaining tone in others indicate that he is fed up. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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Among the orphans. Malaika is trying to herd Lewa and he does not want to be herded. He emits a Grumble-Rumble with its complaining tone. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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The orphans are in their night stockade and Imenti keeps trying to suck on Emily's ear. She doesn't like it and emits a long Grumble-Rumble. Note undulating frequencies. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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Feeding time with the orphans is frenzied with hungry calves all begging for access to bottles of milk and coconut cakes. Malaika was the eldest of the orphans and was, therefore, the lowest priority. As she Rumbled for coconut cakes, her frustration and annoyance at being overlooked can be heard in the tone of her calling. Her call is overlaid with the sounds of other elephants. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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Feeding time with the orphans is frenzied with hungry calves all begging for access to bottles of milk and coconut cakes. Malaika was the eldest of the orphans and was, therefore, the lowest priority. As she Rumbled for coconut cakes, her frustration and annoyance at being overlooked can be heard in the tone of her calling. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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Among the orphans in their night stockade. Lewa complains with a Grumble-Rumble because, as the keeper says; 'Malaika anashikashika yeye'. (Malaika keeps trying to fondle him) and he doesn't like it. (Tsavo, Kenya)
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A short complaining sounding Rumble is heard in the scuffle surrounding the newborn as a young male tries to mount the new mother, Ella. (Amboseli, Kenya)
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A short complaining sounding Rumble is heard in the scuffle surrounding a newborn as a young male tries to mount the new mother, Ella. A Nasal-Trumpet overlaps with this Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)
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Edwina is eating heart of palm; her calf, Elaine, tries to get some from her, but Edwina pulls away. Elaine Head-Shakes in annoyance and gives this complaining sounding Grumble-Rumble. (Amboseli, Kenya)
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