Male elephant seals can remember former rivals by voice alone

By Stephen Beech

Male elephant seals can recognize rivals from years ago, reveals new research.

They responded to recorded calls of old enemies in a study that American scientists say shows that humans are not the only animals that can remember the voices of former acquaintances.

Professor Caroline Casey and her team have spent over a decade studying the seals on Año Nuevo Island off the coast of California.

They observed male elephant seals engaging in dominance displays year after year.

It led them to wonder if the seals remembered their past bouts.

Casey said: “Male elephant seals come back to the exact same breeding location year after year and engage in competitive interactions with a number of familiar individuals.

“It would make sense, then, that they would retain some me