Empower Network

Elephants’ Tribute to Late Lawrence Anthony

HOW DID THEY KNOW?
Something in the universe that is greater and deeper than human intelligence.

How did they know?
That their friend, savior, and benefactor,
Lawrence Anthony,
had died.

Elephants’ tribute 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 the US invasion in 2003
.
On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.
.
He is remembered and missed by his wife,
2 sons, 2 grandsons & 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!

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 home…………

Elephants’ tribute to a remarkable man

This short YouTube video by South African press
of Lawrence Anthony and his rapport with elephants
shows the close bond he created with them
and the reason for the elephants’ tribute.

Elephants’ tribute due to their intelligence

Elephants are extremely intelligent animals
and have memories that span many years.
It is this memory that serves matriarchs well during dry seasons
when they need to guide their herds, sometimes for tens of miles,
to watering holes that they remember from the past.
They also display signs of grief, joy, anger and play.

Recent discoveries have shown that elephants
can communicate over long distances by producing a sub-sonic rumble
that can travel over the ground faster than sound through air.
Other elephants receive the messages through the sensitive skin on their feet and trunks.
It is believed that this is how potential mates and social groups communicate.

Interesting facts about elephants

♦Elephants cry, play, have incredible memories, and laugh!
♦Elephants are sensitive fellow animals where if a baby complains, the entire family will rumble and go over to touch and caress it.
♦Elephants have greeting ceremonies when a friend that has been away for some time returns to the group.
♦Elephants grieve at a loss of a stillborn baby, a family member, and in many cases other elephants.

Elephants’ tribute to late Lawrence Anthony

So isn’t the elephants’ tribute just amazing
and so touching!
They are definitely so loving and warm creatures
who could teach us humans something about loyalty!

If you know lovely stories like this elephants’ tribute
you can blog about them on the Empower Network.

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