Asian elephants bury dead calves, finds study

Asian elephant herd members in north Bengal have been documented burying premature calves in irrigation trenches inside tea gardens. The behavior is unique to this species and has been observed in cases in Debpara, Chunabhati, Bharnabari, Majherdabri, and the New Dooars tea gardens near Gorumara and Buxa. In five case studies in north Bengal, herd members dragged the calves away from human settlements before burying them in "leg-upright position" in irrigation trenches inside tea gardens.