Ideas worth spreading

The enigmatic language of elephants

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Beth Mortimer and Tarje Nissen-Meyer |

TEDWomen 2018

• November 2018

Elephants communicate using sounds deeper than the human ear can detect. Biologist Beth Mortimer and geophysicist Tarje Nissen-Meyer plan to eavesdrop on their conversations using a noninvasive, real-time and low-cost study method that can also potentially help locals in developing countries fight poaching. Learn how they keep an ear to the ground to help protect the world's most vulnerable societies, precious landscapes and iconic animals.

Elephants communicate using sounds deeper than the human ear can detect. Biologist Beth Mortimer and geophysicist Tarje Nissen-Meyer plan to eavesdrop on their conversations using a noninvasive, real-time and low-cost study method that can also potentially help locals in developing countries fight poaching. Learn how they keep an ear to the ground to help protect the world's most vulnerable societies, precious landscapes and iconic animals.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

About the speakers

Beth Mortimer

Beth Mortimer

Physical biologist

Beth Mortimer is a scientific researcher interested in how animals use vibrations along surfaces and through materials for information.

Tarje Nissen-Meyer

Tarje Nissen-Meyer

Geophysicist, seismologist, Earth citizen

Driven by curiosity and appreciation for the complex, beautiful, diverse and dynamic world around us, Tarje Nissen-Meyer is trying to decipher this vibrating planet by analyzing data from human and biological interaction with our precious environment and modern technology.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.