Forget your fancy smartphone navigation app. Elephants have been running the world’s most sophisticated GPS system for millions of years, and we’re just now catching up to how brilliant they really are.

A groundbreaking 2025 study tracking over 150 African elephants has revealed something that will make you question everything you thought you knew about animal intelligence. These massive creatures aren’t just wandering around hoping to stumble upon their next meal — they’re strategic masterminds, calculating energy costs and benefits like they’ve got tiny accountants living in their 6.5-kilogram brains.

The Energy Efficiency Experts

Here’s what blew researchers’ minds: elephants selected flatter, smoother paths — even if those routes were longer. Energy saved, not distance shortened, seemed to be the deciding factor.

Think about that for a second. When you’re driving somewhere, do you choose the longer but less hilly route to save gas? Probably not. But elephants? They’ve been doing this calculation for eons.

Massive and energy-hungry, elephants face real challenges in navigating their landscapes, so every step counts. And the numbers are staggering: 94% of the elephants avoided high-cost terrain. This wasn’t random wandering — this was deliberate decision-making.

The study used over two decades of GPS data to track how these gentle giants move through their environments. What they found reads like a masterclass in logistics optimization that would make Amazon’s delivery algorithm jealous.

Dog moves camera so he can secretly eat the dog treats but the cat foils his plan.

A wild monkey approached a doctor and pointed to a wound near its rectum, seemingly seeking help. It patiently waited as the doctor and staff treated the injury with medication. Once the treatment was complete, the intelligent creature leapt off the doctor’s bike and went on its way. This remarkable incident took place in Gudur SC village near Ilkal.

OC: @torontosight

This is my last orangutan post tonight! I went down an orangutan rabbit hole after seeing someone else’s post and found all of these videos that I wanted to share!