Bhunte and Thiklu went for a walk around the forest. At the edge, they saw a bunch of people carrying some flashing devices. They noticed Bhunte and Thiklu. Thiklu got scared and was about to trumpet long. Bhunte immediately stopped him to trumpet by pressing his trunk. Then, both of them gently ‘rumbled’ at a very low frequency and increased the timing of their rumbles to communicate with their families. Instantly their mothers arrived rushing through the bushes and took them away safely. “You know, Thiklu, the scientists who are studying how we communicate discovered our secrets. When we are disturbed by those humans or any other animals, we don’t trumpet long, but we use rumbles or a low-frequency call, which cannot be easily detected by these humans but our parents would know. Humans or disturbers would think we are quiet, but we are not! We increase the duration of rumbles. Always remember this whenever you feel threatened. Always use fewer trumpets.” Thiklu nodded his head in agreement. After all, Thiklu is younger than Bhunte. He has to obey. Bhunte kept his trunk on Thiklu’s head and walked stumbling.

This research was conducted by Dr. Nachiketha Sharma and the team (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347219303938)