Grieving Elephants Stand Vigil for Fallen Friend, Showcasing Deep Bonds Within the Herd

A heart-rending video captured a group of elephants in Chobe National Park, Botswana, demonstrating their strong emotional bonds as they mourned the loss of a fellow elephant.

Park rangers were forced to euthanize the injured elephant after it suffered a broken leg. The grieving herd later discovered the remains, partially consumed by hyenas, jackals, and a pride of lions, and steadfastly stood by their fallen friend.

In the video, shared by Tracking The Wild, one of the elephants can be seen tenderly touching the deceased with its trunk while others flap their ears, likely to cool off in the sweltering heat.

ADVERTISEMENT

Watch the video at the end.

Heartbreaking footage shows a herd of mourning elephants refusing to abandon their dead friend’s body at the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Source: Daily Mail
The elephant had to sadly be put down by park rangers after he broke his leg. Source: Daily Mail

Elephants are known for their remarkable capacity to grieve, exhibiting behaviors similar to humans.

They often visit the graves of their lost ones, tenderly ‘kissing’ the bodies with their trunks and swaying in mourning. Intriguingly, while humans typically grieve for close friends and relatives, elephants have been observed mourning even distant acquaintances.

ADVERTISEMENT
A touching video shows his friends watching over his body, with one elephant stroking him with his trunk. Source: Daily Mail
The carcass had been opened up by spotted hyenas and jackals at the national park before a pack of lions descended onto the body. Source: Daily Mail
ADVERTISEMENT
The herd of elephants later found the remains and refused to leave the body. Source: Daily Mail

Watch the video below:


Read more Elephant News.


ADVERTISEMENT

Leave a Comment