It would appear that the mother-offspring relationship for elephants is longer-lasting than other big game. This is witnessed by the relatively large cow-calf herds that are seemingly perpetuated on a continual basis, from generation to generation. This of course is seen in herds of buffalo and prides of lions, but I think this is more advanced for elephants, having a strong communal attitude which gives rise to the apparent "caring" for each other.

In hunting, I think this is why the possibility of being charged by members of an elephant cow herd are much, much greater than when hunting other dangerous game, in my experience anyway.

Will