Heartbreaking Images Of Grieving Elephant In Sri Lanka Go Viral

Heart-wrenching images from Sri Lanka show a mother elephant carrying the lifeless body of her newborn calf with her trunk for three consecutive days, accompanied by several other elephants.

The footage, shared by social media users on Sunday, July 6, has stirred widespread emotions and brought renewed attention to elephants' strong emotional intelligence.

In the video, a herd of elephants can be seen surrounding the grieving mother, appearing to participate in a funeral-like procession, showing deep empathy and collective mourning.

One user on social media platform X described it as“a funeral march of mourning elephants,” calling it a powerful reminder of animals' emotional depth.

Wildlife experts, including Indian forest officer Parveen Kaswan, noted that this behavior may represent grief, although it's difficult to determine the exact motivation behind such actions.

Elephants are known for their strong family bonds and high emotional intelligence. Similar behaviors have been reported in the past, reinforcing the idea that these animals experience complex emotions.

In 2019, a widely viewed video from India showed a herd surrounding a mourning adult elephant carrying a deceased calf. The scene resembled a solemn ritual of paying respects.

That video, posted by Kaswan on X, received over 200,000 views and sparked discussion on the emotional lives of animals and their ability to grieve.

According to the Smithsonian, elephants often show interest in the bones of their species and have been observed placing branches over carcasses, suggesting a form of rudimentary burial.

Similar grieving behavior has also been documented in other species, such as orca whales, who have been seen carrying the bodies of their dead calves for days or even weeks.

Elephants are one of the few non-human species believed to mourn their dead. Their capacity for empathy, memory, and grief has fascinated scientists for decades, offering insights into the emotional lives of highly social animals. Such behaviors challenge long-held assumptions about the emotional boundaries between humans and animals.

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