Massive savannas and deep forests are home to the magnificent elephant species. These gentle giants have long captivated the attention of scientists and conservationists. Years of meticulous study and close observation have demonstrated that elephants exhibit a wide range of emotions, including a mourning process that is strikingly similar to human experience.
At Colorado State University, George Wittemyer is a dedicated conservation biologist who has spent a significant portion of his career learning about elephant behavior. Wittemyer discussed some of his findings in an interview with National Geographic, highlighting the complex and enigmatic coping mechanisms these remarkable animals employ to deal with the loss of a herd member.
Although we don’t entirely understand how they engage with their deceased, elephants show respect for them, according to Wittemyer. The mysterious aspects of these animals’ behavior when they sense loss have fascinated researchers, highlighting the variety of feelings that these animals are capable of.
Elephants are highly emotional intelligent and have a distinct grieving process. A recent video published by Twitter user Parveen Kaswan brought this to light. The video captures a serene road scene when vehicles come to a stop and onlookers are enthralled with the amazing spectacle.
A gorgeous herd of elephants crosses the road, one of them sticking out as it gingerly grasps something with its trunk. Viewers swiftly see that the elephant is carrying a deceased elephant calf. The elephant carefully places the dead calf on the ground, and the herd surrounds it in a circle of respect after a somber moment. In this environment, there is a distinct sense of shared sadness and mourning.
The sentiments are eloquently expressed by Parveen Kaswan in her video title, “The family just don’t want to leave the baby.” The melancholy behavior of the elephants is reminiscent of a human burial march.
As the herd advances, a second elephant comes and tenderly holds the dead calf in its trunk. Elephant herds are evidently capable of experiencing loss and grief due to their close emotional ties.
The video serves as a poignant reminder of the extremely complicated lives that elephants lead while showcasing the deep ties that these animals have with one another. This narrative bridges the distance between our worlds while highlighting the intricacy and beauty of nature. The request is to spread the word about this breathtaking display of the emotional range of nature on Facebook so that others can also feel the poignant scenes shown in the film.
