Musth

Musth or must (from Persian, lit. 'intoxicated') is a periodic condition in bull (male) elephants characterized by aggressive behavior and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones. It has been known in Asian elephants since 3000 years, but was only described in African elephants in 1981. There is evidence that it occurred in extinct proboscideans.

Elephants often discharge a thick tar-like secretion called temporin from the temporal gland during musth.

Behavioral management includes physical restraint and a starvation diet for several days.