Friday, January 25, 2013

The Elephants Pay Their Respect



THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS MUCH GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

YET THE ELEPHANTS 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.

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.

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!  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 home.





8 comments:

Momma Fargo said...

Awww...reminds me of Gorillas in the Mist

Coffeypot said...

I thought about that, too, MF. I have heard other stories about the uncanny ability of Elephants to know things. Like the Elephants who save some people's lives by heading to the hills before the Tsunami hit in Indonesia.

Janie Junebug said...

A friend sent me this story in an email. I found it quite moving.

Love,
Janie

Coffeypot said...

Janie, I received it in an email, too.

lotta joy said...

My sister sent me the video but I refused to watch. Elephants make me cry horrible, gut wrenching sobs.

I wish the government would open up their warehouses of confiscated ivory, flood the market with it, and it would become so common that no more elephants would be shot.

The answer is so simple.

Old NFO said...

Hellva story... And it IS dusty in here...

Coffeypot said...

LJ, no intention to upset you. Sorry!

Old NFO, cough, cough, wheeze...

Miss Em said...

I wonder what they heard in the sub- sonic wave length?
Maybe there really is an individual sound that we each make all our lives and when we die it makes one last great cry to gather our friends and companions.
Just a guess or maybe an insight into the unknown.