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Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Elephant Whisperer

A heart-warming e-mail forward to share.........

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestsellerThe 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 & 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 20 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 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 a year !

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.

Then one morning they left, making their long journey back home.

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 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 ”

6 comments:

  1. Hello Veronica,
    we have 37 degree Celsius right now and it's a real challange to live like this!But,washing up 2 times a day(with wet hair) I try to write you few lines-Dana is playing the game named Metin and my access on PC is low now aday!
    Wow,what a story!!! Anyway,animals have deeper feelings and a high quality behaviour-so far than lot of people cannot reproduce or maybe understand! I am upset about the way things are going with those feelings-you trust someone and ..you get the opposite and that's why you get lonlier and carre only your family .Friends?Well,I am not so sure about this...Quilling made think friendship isn't lost for good and I like to know and I believe that you are one of those who can be called Beloved Friend in that sort of special way!Thanks,love you

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  2. That speaks volumes about the nature of living things and compassion that we all carry inside of us. Beautiful story!

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  3. what a beautiful moment for his family to witness!! Thanks for sharing, Veronica!

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  4. WOW. Elephants are incredible, aren't they? And the power of love, emotion, and feelings. It's amazing how they just showed up, isn't it?? Wow. Gives me goose-bumps.

    Beautiful story, pally. Thanks for posting. :)

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  5. What an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing this.

    Blessings & Aloha!
    (I want to send our kids this story on your blog).

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  6. Beautiful story! I am following you on Google and Network Blog.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Connie

    http://wwww.enjoywellbeing.ca

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