New Online Translator Teaches Humans How to Speak 'Elephant'

Just like humans, elephants have their own unique method of communication—but instead of words, these creatures partly rely on a broad range of vocalizations, ranging from guttural roars to trumpet-like blasts. To bridge the gap between pachyderms and people, National Geographic reports that a new website lets wildlife lovers translate human words and emotions into the calls of the endangered giants.

Called “Hello in Elephant,” the online tool allows users to transform recorded words and phrases, text, and emojis into shareable videos that provide corresponding elephant noises. Some sentiments—like “I need coffee”—aren’t universal in the animal kingdom, so you won’t receive a match, but the site does work for basic human/elephant emotions like “I love you,” “let’s eat,” “I’m sad,” and “stressed out.”

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a Kenya-based orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, and the nonprofit ElephantVoices, which promotes elephant research, conservation, and ethical management, created the site to raise awareness of critical threats facing elephants like poaching and habitat loss. The site also provides users with the option to donate to both organizations.

Learn to understand Elephant here, after brushing up on your trivia about the highly intelligent endangered animals.

[h/t National Geographic]