Sunday

Elephants are incredible animals. They are the largest living land animals on Earth today. The largest elephant ever recorded was a male in Angola that weighed 2400 lbs. But not only are they very intelligent, yes it is true that they have fantastic memories, but their intelligence has been described as equal to dolphins or the nonhuman primates. Aristotle once said the elephant was "the beast which passeth all others in wit and mind." Some of their intelligence behaviors are those such as grief, making music and art, altruism, play, allo-mothering , use of tools, compassion and self-awareness. Sound quite human don't they?

Besides being extremely intelligent they are very social animals, also not unlike humans. And it is easy to understand why. The elephant's gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any land animal. At birth, an elephant calf typically weighs 105 km or 230 lbs and they typically live for 50 to 70 years. The oldest recorded elephant lived for 82 years.

Elephants also live in a very structured social order. The young elephants (both male and female) spend a long time maturing and being raised in a herd. The social lives of adult male and female elephants are very different though. The females spend their entire lives in tightly knit family groups made up of mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts. These groups are led by the eldest female, or matriarch. Adult males, on the other hand live mostly solitary lives, interacting with the females only during breeding season. At times lone male elephants will also form associations with other males forming what is called a "bachelor" herd.

What you are about to see in the video below is an example of the intelligence and strong social bond between a family of female elephants in a rescue attempt of a baby elephant who is in danger of drowning. You will witness the love and concern of an wonderful animal species that is not at all unlike our own.

Photo: national Geographic


Responses to "Drowning baby elephant rescued by adult female elephants (Video)"

  1. AFRICAKAT says:

    OMG...that is so amazing. It made me cry my eyes out because it shows that elis are such gentle giants with such a strong family bond. I LOVE elephants, they are such beautiful, intelligent & wonderful animals..xxxxxx

  2. Anonymous says:

    If only we as humans could learn from the animals. Like the Bible says "observe the animals"

  3. Anonymous says:

    Beautiful.

  4. Anonymous says:

    That was so great. It sure showed how they work together and how they cared for the baby.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Such compassion and team effort to save the baby. I was amazed, and more than a little emotional while watching this. I realize the humans I come in contact with would not have helped, like these elephants did. Yet those same humans feel so superior!!

  6. Anonymous says:

    LOL, you said that elephant calves at birth weigh 105 km but I think you meant 105 kg. They are big at birth but I doubt they are quite that long. :-)

  7. Anonymous says:

    Amazing!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Swimming lesson!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    What a heart wrenching, beautiful video! I found myself leaning closer and closer to the screen to see better and felt incredible relief when the baby was on firm ground. Thank you for the lesson that other animals are sentient also.

  10. Unknown says:

    Such gentle caring animals all pitching in to save one of their own. Such tender love among the elephants -they all pitched in to save this baby. I love elephants, and feel so sad when they killed or captured to perform in circus etc. They should stay in the wild for us to enjoy and RESPECT. <3

  11. Anonymous says:

    They saved the little one, but it was no easy task! They were determined and relentless in their efforts!

  12. Anonymous says:

    amazing creatures. put their own life in risk to save the little one.

  13. Anonymous says:

    this is amazing looking out for each other,they all came to help the little one,bless them.

  14. Unknown says:

    Beautiful!!

  15. Anonymous says:

    You can almost imagine the conversation after the rescue. All gathered to make sure the little guy was walking ok and no damage done, unless they happen to squeeze too hard in there zealousness to confirm his safety. Mother and big sister took care of the situation. Beautiful to watch.

  16. Anonymous says:

    I think it is so cute how they all hang around the baby afterwards. Like the event wasn't over until they say so. Just like people. We see an accident, help and then talk about it after all is done. Now how lovely it that? Hope they didn't squeeze the little baby in their attempts to validate his safe return to solid land.

  17. Fili says:

    That just shows how they all stick together,and when one is in trouble they all try to help. That was just beautiful to see. Such a cute little guy. Thank you for sharing this.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Then along comes super intelligent mankind with weapons and kills for the hell of it! Or for making money from the tusks!!!!!!! Which is the better creature????

  19. Anonymous says:

    These incredible animals are more wonderful in ways we don't even know yet. Interesting how they all band together to aid and protect each other when necessary. Not one of them would stand and watch another's misfortune. One must wonder how it would be to have awareness, experience emotions, and be at the mercy of another species without the ability to verbalize their needs.

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