Learn From the Animals

Follow Your Tribe

We've all heard the saying "elephants never forget".  I know that to be true. 

Many years ago, I was watching a documentary about a family herd of elephants that some researchers were following.  Now mind you, I'm not in the habit of watching documentaries often but at the time it tweaked my interest so I tuned in for the show. 

So elephants are very family oriented.  They all take care of each other and all look out for the baby.  It truly is a "it takes a village" mentality.  I think that's pretty amazing. 

Why am I telling you about some elephant documentary? (That I watched 10+ years ago.)  Well...I was quite struck and filled with emotion as I watched these animals move through a loss.  There was a pair of sister elephants in this group, one of which had a baby.  As the herd was migrating to their next location for the season, the mother elephant began to lag behind.  The rest of the group began to linger and try and wait for the mother elephant to catch up, but it became clear that something was wrong.  So the sister elephant prods the baby along, the rest of the elephants help push the baby along as the mother elephant stayed behind.  The mother elephant eventually died. 

So the season passes, and the same herd of elephants make their way back to where they came from.  Which meant passing the carcass of the mother elephant that died.  All of the elephants stopped and rubbed their trunks on the remains of their friend.  Including the baby that had grown.  All of the elephants stopped to pay their respects and I assume to grieve as they were making noises and such.  The sister elephant stayed the longest, rubbing her trunk all around her sister. 

I found this level of human understanding quite amazing.  I had tears in my eyes.  I was crying like an idiot over a documentary.  Good thing I was alone at the time.  haha...Regardless, this is something that has stuck in my head for years.  I don't think I will ever forget it. 

I was amazed at the level of compassion, remembrance and empathy that these creatures have in their head.  They have an understanding that we humans could learn from.  Especially in today's world.  Why can't we all be more like the elephants?  There is much to learn from all of our creatures that roam the Earth don't ya think?  I wish more people would think about that a bit more, don't you?  Until next time...elizinashe

Love One Another