Despite decades of research into African elephants, much research into Asian elephants has lagged behind—which is why our feature, “ The Elephant Next Door,” will focus on this species.

Mabu joins two female African elephants, a 24-year-old named Nolwazi and her 9-year-old daughter, Amahle, in the zoo’s 13-acre elephant exhibit, the Fresno Bee reported.

Wild African elephants’ also share a shortened jawbone – a trait shared by many domesticated animals – and show restraint in aggression toward others.

The elephant is the largest existing land mammal on Earth, weighing anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000 pounds. There are three species of elephants: the African bush elephant (also known as the African ...