The elephants were being taught their acts quickly, since the show would start in three weeks, but Sadie had trouble learning what was wanted. One day, unable to understand what she was being told to do, she ran out of the ring. We brought her back and began to punish her for being so stupid. To their astonishment, Sadie, who was lying down, began to utter racking sobs, and tears poured from her eyes. The dumbfounded trainers knelt by Sadie, caressing her.
Elephants are matriarchal.
The female elders lead the herd. They determine the direction of the herd's travel. They are the primary defenders. After that, the males congregate in loose, unstructured herds, much less organized or stable than that of the family herds. A calf may nurse with any nursing female in the herd, although it is very clear to the elephants who is whose offspring.