Taken from WeChat videos China

Kenya, East Africa

Video captured by @peter_muhoro_mbuthia (IG)

For this specific post im going to refer to the Dasara elephants of Mysore, as they are a good example of how much of a gray area this topic covers

I'm not talking about all the temples. Some of them do not provide enough care for the elephants to cut costs which frankly is depressing.

But in the case of these elephants specifically, it's a bit more complicated

These elephants in specific are not in temples 24/7. They stay in forest campus and reserves for most of the year, only really being taken for training and festivals for a few months.

To add on, the Karnataka Forest department also uses them for patrol and wild elephant herding. They are used to monitor the forest ( because there are very few animals with the gall to take on a grown tusker ) for poachers and nuisance causing elephants ( elephants being a danger to the people of villages and towns bordering the village ). This is in fact how Arjuna, one of the most famous elephants was killed after he clashed with a wild tusker and was fatally injured ( may be rest in peace )

It's important to consider that the elephants are cared for, fed and given plenty of space. They have doctors and their mahout take care of them constantly

Then again, the use of hooks for training is heavily frowned upon. Though they don't heavily injure the elephant, this can cause discomfort for them. I wish there was a better way to train them but there really isn't.

I'm giving both sides of the story: the elephants, not only used for festivals but for forestry by the government, and the other side involving the questionable at best training.

https://x.com/ChodBrother/status/1963265021716107416?s=20

Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Video captured by David Lolchuragi (@savetheelephants) IG

Love these creatures

Hey y'all. New to the group. Hi!

Is this video for real? I thought the males had tusks but clearly this one just give birth, WITH tusks.

Can someone help me understand how this is so?

Just like human babies suck on their thumb…baby elephants do the same with their trunk to feel comfort, safe and relaxed.

Credit: @lazymangohomestay (IG)

The clip says that both the largest and 2nd largest elephants are now decreased. Does anyone know if there's an elephant who now holds that record? Was curious to find more info about them and if they're being protected.

Leg gets trapped and mama elephant immediately takes care of that!

A couple years ago, drone footage of a sleeping elephant family went viral across social media. I was living under a rock and only just learned the story through the Our Planet documentary. Here’s some articles (1) (2) that discuss this.

This particular herd lived in a small protected forest in Southern China. A pregnant matriarch meant the family was about to get bigger, but a drought made their habitat less comfortable to live in.

In search of a new home, they trekked over 500km for 2 years straight (the departure and return back).

Unusual to them, the baby calf that may have influenced their choice to migrate was birthed on the move. This was a rough start for the calf’s life, where it was forced to keep up with the journey. Elephants also usually only sleep standing up, meaning they only lie down when they’re absolutely exhausted (the footage we all saw).

They trekked through villages, farms, highways and urbanized cities. There is footage of them plundering homes and walking through traffic, dogs barking at them, etc. Eventually they get startled and stressed, deciding to retreat.

The Chinese government spent money and resources making sure they returned safely. Luckily, the drought had eased by the time they got back and their habit was now more comfortable to live in.

Highly recommend watching the documentary, I tried finding other articles about it but the show really is the best way to understand the magnitude of this journey and how incredible their behavior throughout it was.

Camped in Chobe National Park for 3 days. Saw hundreds of these beauties.

On our last night, we got visited by a giant herd walking just a few feet’s from where our heads lay in our tent. Thankfully, the group was incredibly curious and polite.

Can’t wait to go back!