Elephant herds are led by a matriarch, the oldest and most experienced female.

Elephant social structures are strictly matriarchal, centered around the wisdom of the oldest female. Research published in 'Science' and studies by the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya show that matriarchs can live up to 60 or 70 years. This longevity allows them to accumulate a 'social memory' that is vital for the survival of the entire 8 to 20 member kinship group.During extreme droughts, such as the one in Tanzania's Tarangire National Park in 1993, researchers observed that herds led by older matriarchs had significantly higher calf survival rates. These experienced leaders remembered the locations of distant water holes and feeding grounds from decades prior. Younger leaders who had not experienced such severe conditions lacked this spatial memory, leading to higher mortality rates in their groups.Matriarchs also serve as the primary defense against predators like lions. A study by the University of Sussex found that older matriarchs are much better at distinguishing the roars of male lions, which are more dangerous, from those of female lions. They respond by quickly gathering the herd into a protective bunch, whereas younger leaders often fail to react appropriately to the specific level of threat.While females remain in these tight-knit units to raise offspring, males undergo a transition between the ages of 12 and 15. They leave the natal herd to avoid inbreeding and often join bachelor groups or follow older, more experienced bulls. This complex social dynamic ensures that the herd benefits from the collective experience of its most senior female member.