In a heartwarming display of trust and companionship, young children and orphaned elephant calves at Arignar Anna Zoo in Chennai, southern India, have formed an extraordinary bond that defies nature.

Rescued from the forest, these one-year-old elephants are nurtured by a dedicated team of mahouts who work closely with animals and their own children.

**Best foot forward: Nandini, eight, and Lavindya, six, the children of mahouts ride home on Sharon. The 14-month-old orphaned calf was rescued from Sathyamangalam Forests in southern India**

This unique relationship goes beyond caretaking, as these youngsters and elephants share a daily routine, including attending school, playing football, and sleeping.

Without this remarkable connection, zoo staff believe the orphaned elephants would not have thrived after their rescue.

**Nandgopal, eight, and Lavindya, four, lie asleep next to Giri, an orphaned elephant calf who was rescued from Hosur Forest in southern India**

Mahout Rajan, aged 25, shared how his four-year-old daughter Lavindya shares an exceptional connection with the elephants. Lavindya can command the young calves, and they reciprocate by wrapping their trunks around her and seeking her affection.

The emotional bond between the children and the elephants has developed over the past year since Sharon’s first orphaned elephant was brought to the zoo.

Their daily routine involves heartwarming interactions. The elephants and children begin their day with a refreshing morning bath, where even the children join in, sharing laughter and playful splashes.

**Bathtime: Nandini, four, and Nandgopal, eight, give Sharon a scrub after a long day**

Following their bath, the elephants are fed milk, coconut water, and glucose, ensuring their strength and well-being.

As the children head to school, they embark on a unique journey. Instead of a conventional school bus, they ride on the backs of these gentle giants, with their school bags carefully carried in the elephants’ trunks.

After school, the village becomes a playground, where the children and elephants engage in spirited football matches and playful chases.

**Displaying the impressive skills he’s already mastered Anu, six, commands an adult orphaned elephant**

However, the heartwarming scenes at the zoo also shed light on the challenges it faces.

The zoo is government-funded, yet additional resources are needed to enhance the care provided to these calves. P.L. Ananthasamy, the zoo’s director, emphasized the necessity of increased funds for creating a separate rehabilitation center for orphaned calves.

These bonds of friendship and caregiving between the children and the orphaned elephants highlight their critical role in each other’s lives, demonstrating the power of compassion and the unique connections that can develop across species.

Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.