Scientists are uncovering new evidence that many animals possess much greater intelligence than previously thought, thanks to advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
Discoveries in 2024 have highlighted the incredible cognitive abilities of various species, from great apes using medicine to elephants calling one another by individual names.
In June, biologists from Colorado State University published groundbreaking research suggesting that African elephants respond to individual names.
These names, in the form of complex low rumbles, can be heard over long distances across the savannah. Using machine learning, the team analyzed recordings made in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve and Amboseli National Park. They confirmed that elephants reacted energetically, flapping their ears and lifting their trunks, to calls that included their names.
“Elephants display intriguing behaviors where, in a group, one will give a call and the entire group will respond. But sometimes, a similar call will elicit a response from only one specific elephant,” said co-author George Wittemyer. “This shows they can communicate with one another in a way that allows them to target individuals.”
Elephants aren’t the only species with impressive communication skills. Marine animals, known for underwater communication like humpback whale songs and dolphin whistles, continue to astound researchers. In a breakthrough study this year, scientists examining sperm whales in the Caribbean suggested that the animals’ clicks could form a phonetic alphabet, enabling them to construct words and phrases.
Further studies have revealed fascinating behaviors in bottlenose dolphins. Researchers from the University of Pisa and University of Turin discovered that dolphins “smile” at each other to communicate during play, adding a new layer to our understanding of their social interactions.
Chimps have long been recognized for their intelligence, and this year, research from the University of Oxford revealed their sophisticated medicinal practices. The study followed two chimp communities and documented how sick individuals sought out plants with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Meanwhile, pet owners often sense that dogs understand more than simple commands like “sit” or “stay.” A study conducted in Hungary this March confirmed that dogs can associate words with specific objects, suggesting a level of language comprehension previously unproven in canines.
These studies demonstrate that the animal kingdom is far more intelligent and communicative than we ever imagined, offering new insights into the minds of other species.
