Berlin Zoo's Elephant Mary Masters Self-Showering with Hose

Researchers document unique tool use by Asian elephant Mary, who displays advanced hose manipulation skills at Berlin Zoo.

Mary, a 54-year-old Asian elephant at Berlin Zoo, has been observed using a hose to shower herself, showcasing remarkable tool use abilities.
The behavior was first noticed by researcher Lena Kaufmann, who systematically recorded Mary's interactions with different hose types.
Mary demonstrated a preference for a 24-millimeter hose, using it to effectively shower various parts of her body, including her back.
Another elephant, Anchali, occasionally disrupted Mary's showering by bending or standing on the hose, leading researchers to speculate about playful sabotage.
The study highlights elephants' cognitive abilities and tool use, with findings published in the journal Current Biology.