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Hluhluwe with it’s dense tree background isolates this young bull as he moves off after cooling himself down.The image of a lone elephant making it’s way through the African bush is one I have often encountered. These are usually males that leave the herd at between 10-20 years of age and head off on their own. In search of food and mating opportunities they cover great distances but they are not as solitary as previously believed. Young males tag along behind older males who can lead groups of mixed aged males and new research is showing that these older males play an important part in the social structure of elephants. Vital information regarding food and water are passed along by these groups as well as the hierarchical structures with older males keeping younger males in check. Young males also form loose groups as elephants are social by nature and we can can draw parallels with teenage behavior.