Elephants have an undeniable connection to humans; they exhibit emotional intelligence and behaviours not typically observed in the animal kingdom.
Elephants are called ‘human animals’ due to several attributes that set them apart:
- a long life span,
- demonstrate high levels of intelligence,
- have close family bonds,
- and emotional attachment.
Elephants are expressive creatures; they are capable of expressing joy, love, anger, grief, compassion, love. When I was in Tanzania I observed elephants entwining trunks, in the most touching display of affection that would consist of touching, caressing and lovingly greeting each other. It appeared to me , that they were even smiling on several occasions.
“An Indian elephant is said sometimes to weep.” Charles Darwin