I think it says that some of the flaws inherent in human nature, predate human nature. If one female elephant can be callous or demented enough to reject her own infant, then so can others. Among several species of mammals--I know it's true of rats--if after the mother gives birth a human handles one of the babies, the mother animal will not let it nurse, because it smells different than the rest of the litter &, thus, must be alien. It's the logic of evolution, which is only concerned about perpetuating a form of life...not about saving every single individual within a species.
Guess what? Ant & termite colonies have been observed in actions that resemble full-scale conventional war, raids for food or slaves, & slavery itself. These were going on long before humans made their first appearance. And here some of us still hope for world peace. What a laugh.
