They would intertwine trunks and gently touch each other in and around their mouths in what humans might describe as a kiss. At dusk I returned. The baby had died and been covered with dirt, grass, and leaves. The mother had positioned herself over her child and rocked back and forth over him for hours. I saw the love, attachment, compassion, and camaraderie that these incredible animals display toward each other.
Many elephant handlers are ex-carnival hands who have had no experience with animals.
We hire keepers, and we give them sticks, and we tell them they're elephant guys. San Diego resident Ed Stewart filmed elephants lined up after being unloaded from a hot boxcar. You can hear her cry. I cannot describe the feeling. But there is a worse feeling starting in my head.