[Elli]

Everybody knows the old saying that a memory like an elephant means that you never forget things. Has there ever been a study into the memory of an elephant to see how long they actually remember things?

[goosey]

I heard something just last week about elephants never forgetting. It actually has something to do with their sense of smell and they associate things through smell. I wish I had taken more notice now - sorry I can't be more helpful Elli .

[memil]

maybe it's because they find their way back to the same watering holes year after year that they are known for their memory

I think the saying is probably older than modern animal behavioural science and not founded in solid research

[paul m]

Or it's all about death .....
An Elephant Never Forgets ... Its Mortality -- Schriber 2005 (1026): 3 -- ScienceNOW