Wild Elephants Gather to Mourn Death of 'Elephant Whisperer'

[Cidersomerset]

Monday, 14 May 2012 09:05



For 12 hours, two herds of wild South African elephants slowly made their way through the Zululand bush until they reached the house of late author Lawrence Anthony, the conservationist who saved their lives.

The formerly violent, rogue elephants, destined to be shot a few years ago as pests, were rescued and rehabilitated by Anthony, who had grown up in the bush and was known as the “Elephant Whisperer.”

For two days the herds loitered at Anthony’s rural compound on the vast Thula Thula game reserve in the South African KwaZulu – to say good-bye to the man they loved. But how did they know he had died March 7?

Known for his unique ability to calm traumatized elephants, Anthony had become a legend. He is the author of three books, Baghdad Ark, detailing his efforts to rescue the animals at Baghdad Zoo during the Iraqi war, the forthcoming The Last Rhinos, and his bestselling The Elephant Whisperer.

There are two elephant herds at Thula Thula. According to his son Dylan, both arrived at the Anthony family compound shortly after Anthony’s death.

“They had not visited the house for a year and a half and it must have taken them about 12 hours to make the journey,” Dylan is quoted in various local news accounts. “The first herd arrived on Sunday and the second herd, a day later. They all hung around for about two days before making their way back into the bush.”

Elephants have long been known to mourn their dead. In India, baby elephants often are raised with a boy who will be their lifelong “mahout.” The pair develop legendary bonds – and it is not uncommon for one to waste away without a will to live after the death of the other.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4nvQbfQAUg

[etheric underground]

God bless the loss of a true sentient being... and how beautiful it is to see animals show real emotion.
I once saw a herd of cows paying there respects to the dead carcus of one of there own....It was eerie to see
but amazing. They one by one lined up and spent a little time bowing and making a weird gutteral noise almost like they were crying...and right when I thought maybe they were just inquisitive, they encircled it for about ten minutes almost in prayer. Then went back to being cows.

[pyrangello]

Maybe just perhaps the animals of our world have become more in tune with our true nature of us all being here than many humans have become. What a world this would be to stop , pause , reflect and step back to something so basic but yet so precious..... May you be with the angels Lawrence Anthony for thank you for what you have done while here on earth!

[Cidersomerset]

Lawrence Anthony - CBS video of the Baghdad zoo rescue

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46fQBDfYAJo

Some humans are born to be one with nature ( as we all are !!) and Lawrence Anthony is one of those.....

Like Diane Fossey and the Rwanda Gorrillas, George and Joy Adamson with their Kenyan Lions,
There are many dedicated people who look after Animals who are not reconised , but its a
heart warming story amid'st the gloom of wars ......

Also gives me a excuse to play one of my favourite songs ....

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb2Awn_dYTs