Here’s a lovely video posted by “Magestic Tuskers”, with their description:
In Kerala, India, a baby elephant falls into a ditch (or an abandoned well) and gets trapped there. As the family of wild elephants watches and waits on the other side of the river, local people and forest officials use an earthmover to help the baby get out.
Watch when they come running and welcoming the baby, checking whether it is fine. The incredible moment then occurs when the elephant family head turns and salutes the humans, thanking them for saving their little one..
Very clever to use an earth-mover to raise the level of the ground in the ditch, and the elephants’ joy at getting the baby back is palpable. The “saluting of humans,” however, involves just one elephant raising her trunk, and is probably wish-thinking on the part of the rescuers rather than genuine pachyderm gratitude. But Ceiling Cat bless those people for rescuing the little one!
Lagniappe: a bonus katydid from entomologist and photographer Gil Wizen, found by Matthew Cobb. Look at that thing!
One of the nicest-looking katydid nymphs (possibly Harroweria sp.) from the Amazon rainforest, with candy cane coloration to bring on the holiday spirit for you! pic.twitter.com/vHJr4mPHf8
— Gil Wizen (@wizentrop) November 29, 2017
Lovely to watch the very clever and moving rescue of the young elephant. Great photo of the beautiful katydid nymph.
I seem to recall that the trunk wave is to sniff the breeze. But, maybe she was thinking appreciation (or at least relief) at the same time.
You would swear that was some sort of recognition to the rescuers. As for the katydid, that is cooler than cool, how did that happen?
I was kind of like, in order to save you we have to bury you.
That’s why they didn’t try it in the Neil Moss rescue. It was considered.
Archimedes would be proud.
That katydid is make-up ready for its new appearance on a pixar film…or better yet, Miyazaki.
And as for the elephant rescue. Ears to you humans!
Wow and wow!
Reblogged this on The Logical Place.
How many elephants escape (or are released from) captivity in work camps? It might be a remembered behaviour.