THE ELEPHANT'S JOURNEY TO PAY
RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY
KNOW?
Lawrence Anthony,
a legend in South
Africa and author
of 3 books
including the
bestseller The
Elephant Whisperer,
bravely rescued
wildlife and
rehabilitated
elephants all over
the globe from
human atrocities,
including the
courageous rescue
of Baghdad Zoo
animals during US
invasion in 2003.
Anthony, Nana and
calf (Photo
courtesy of the
Anthony family)
|
On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.
He is remembered and
missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons and
numerous elephants.
Two days after his passing, the wild elephants
showed up at his home led by two large
matriarchs.
Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say
goodbye to their beloved man-friend.
A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12
miles to get to his South African House.
Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not
only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing
that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but
also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved
animals evoked in such an organized way:
Walking slowly - for days - Making their way in a solemn one-by-one
queue from their habitat to his house.
Elephants gathering at the Anthony home (Photo courtesy of the Anthony
family)
So,
how after Anthony’s death, did the reserve’s elephants — grazing
miles away in distant parts of the park — know? “A good man died
suddenly,” says Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Ph.D., “and from miles
and miles away, two herds of elephants, sensing that they had
lost a beloved human friend, moved in a solemn, almost
‘funereal’ procession to make a call on the bereaved family at
the deceased man’s home.”
“If
there ever were a time, when we can truly sense the wondrous
‘interconnectedness of all beings,’ it is when we reflect on the
elephants of Thula Thula. A man’s heart’s stops, and hundreds of
elephants’ hearts are grieving. This man’s oh-so-abundantly loving
heart offered healing to these elephants, and now, they came to
pay loving homage to their friend.”
Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched,
knowing that the elephants had not been to his house
prior to that day for well over 3 years!
But yet they knew where they were going.
The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects,
honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much
respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without
eating anything.
Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back!