One of the documentary channels has a one-hour special on this subject. When pi--ed, these guys can do some damage.
I saw that one: "The Dark Side of Elephants". Very good show, and awe-inspiring.
Also, it shows how *fast* elephants are when they're really motivated. There were several clips of elephants lunging forward or jerking to the side, and it looked like time-lapse photography -- one instant they were in one position, and then *flick* they were in another.
It also described many elephant attacks on people, and said that instead of just stomping them flat (which also happens), a really angry elephant will simply use its strength to literally pull people apart into numerous pieces... One trainer who survived an attack showed the enormous scars he has from where the elephant shoved a tusk entirely through his body -- in two different places.
They're also almost silent when want to sneak up on someone, can run faster than a race horse, and post "sentries" when they raid a village. They can communicate with each other across several miles, using subsonic communication that travels very far, but is below the range of human hearing.
"Her study showed that a lack of older bulls to lead by example had created gangs of hyper-aggressive young males with a penchant for violence towards each other and other species."
Sounds like the same problem as in our crime ridden inner cities. No father.
Maybe the GOP should take a lesson from this ... .
Kick some you know what!