Reply #8: I read a little about this a couple of years ago

[bhikkhu]

in an article not so centered on widespread problems, but on one African game reserve. Analyzing aggressive or unmanageable behavior in some elephant groups the common factor was found to be the loss of older elephants, and it was theorized that the older and more experienced in the group acted as moderating influences and examples of acceptable behavior, much as they do in human populations.

Poachers seeking ivory, of course, kill the most impressive old ones and leave the immature for another day resulting in, it seems, an elephant "lord of the flies" situation.