With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Leader of an elephant group is a female — Correct. Elephant herds are matriarchal; the group is typically led by an older female (matriarch).

2. Maximum gestation period can be 22 months — Correct. Elephants have one of the longest gestation periods among mammals, about 20–22 months.

3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only — Incorrect. Female elephants can reproduce beyond 40 years; they may continue calving into their 50s under normal conditions.

4. Highest elephant population in India is in Kerala — Incorrect. Kerala has a large elephant population, but the highest population has been recorded in Karnataka, not Kerala.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 only are correct.