Berlin, Germany - November 08, 2024 [Credit: Urban et al./Current Biology] In a fascinating display of animal intelligence, researchers have documented the sophisticated use of a hose by an Asian elephant named Mary at the Berlin Zoo, as detailed in a recent report in Current Biology. Senior researchers from Humboldt University of Berlin, including Michael Brecht and Lena Kaufmann, along with first study author Lea Urban, have unveiled new insights into elephant tool use. Mary, described as the "queen of showering," has shown an impressive ability to manipulate a hose to shower her entire body, adapting her technique to reach different parts like her back with a lasso-like swing of the hose. However, the study took an unexpected turn with the antics of Mary's fellow elephant, Anchali. What appears to be playful or perhaps mischievous behavior from Anchali includes not only redirecting the hose away from Mary but also employing what the researchers call "second order tool use" by kinking the hose to stop the water flow. In another instance, Anchali performed a "trunkstand," effectively blocking the water by placing her trunk on the hose and sitting on it. This behavior has led to debates among the researchers about the intentions behind Anchali's actions—is it playful sabotage or just a display of cleverness? The findings suggest a level of social interaction and possibly humor among elephants that adds a new layer to our understanding of their intelligence. The study not only highlights the dexterity and ingenuity of elephants with tools but also raises questions about their behavior in the wild. Could such playful or strategic tool usage be a part of their natural social interactions? The research team, while intrigued by these observations, continues to explore the depths of elephant cognition.