They Are Smarter Than We Think

Elephants are one of the most unique mammals in terms of their intelligence. They are one of the few able to use tools, and even recognize themselves in the mirror!. They also are able to feel empathy for others, and are able to display a range of emotions, including grief. They are also the only mammal to bury their young, which is considered a very human trait in general. All of these point to a very high level of awareness, especially the self-recognition, which besides elephants, only magpies, cetaceans and humans can achieve.