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Monday, May 4, 2015

Just for a Change ! Let's look at some Elephants.

One of the many moving sights I've been privileged to photograph in Africa:

A family of Elephants crosses a relatively shallow pond. 
Shallow, that is, except for the baby of the family.
Encouraged by its elders, it enters the water which soon reaches a depth which is well over its head and only by the trunk reaching up as high as possible, is it able to continue breathing.
A large female, presumably its mother, leads the way,
while another female, likely an Aunt, follows closely behind, laying its trunk on the baby's back. Never, through the entire crossing, does it break this contact.
Clearly always assuring the baby that it is not alone throughout this "blind" crossing.




Please view in the large format, the better to see the baby's trunk functioning like the snorkel on a submarine, and the constant reassuring contact of the second adult with the baby in front.


Only once the family has reached land, does the "Aunt" break contact with the baby.


I believe, based on many observations, that the Elephant's family structure is that
of a well adjusted human family with the exception of the role played by the male and that its devotion to each other, particularly to its young family members
 is very comparable to the human family.
I am certain that Elephants feel a profound sense of sorrow at the loss of one of its calves,
having observed  the reluctance with which they ultimately leave the dead infant's body.


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