5 Ways Elephants Can Teach Us Empathy, Resilience, and Freedom

Elephants are known for their immense size and gentle disposition. They embody the essence of empathy through their group mentality. They’re resilient as they face adversity from climate change and in the wild. Beyond their large physical presence, elephants have so much to offer us. They can teach us how to be empathic, resilient, and free in the ever-changing world.

1. How Elephants Say “Poor You!”

Source: The New York Times/Youtube

Elephants are an extremely social species and one of the only species that comfort one another when distressed. Researchers figured out that these highly intelligent creatures console each other by observing 26 in 6 parks in Thailand. While researchers did not know what always disturbed the elephant, the behavior would always be the same: other elephants would chirp and touch them in a comforting way.

2. Baby Elephant Rescue

Source: FILMY CIGAR CHANNEL/Youtube

While a pride of lions closed in, a baby elephant was stuck upside down in the mud. The larger elephants could have left, protecting themselves from their predator. Instead, they fought tirelessly, and worked together, to get the baby to safety.

3. Luna’s Story

Source: SAVE THE ELEPHANTS/Youtube

Luna, a collared elephant, whose family was killed by poachers, is one of the last few remaining members of what used to the one of the largest herds on the planet. Save the Elephants tracked Luna as she overcame the obstacles that come with being alone.

4. Elephant That Doesn’t Give Up

Source: WildEarth/Youtube

Elephants are excellent problem solvers. This is one of the reasons that they are so resilient! Jamie and James of Wild Earth witnessed a very resilient elephant try hard to knock down a big tree and get food.

5. From Street Begging to Freedom

Source: elephantnews/Youtube

These 17 elephants spent most of their lives carrying people on their backs and begging in the street. They were surrounded by people and cars, far from their natural habitat in the wild. Until a rescue group stepped in a brought them to freedom.

Elephants embody many things, including empathy, resilience, and freedom. The videos above can teach us, as humans, how to use these traits and navigate our world.

Animals Are My Favorite People by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

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• Ellie the Animatronic Elephant Educates Indian Students About Empathy and Kindness
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• Cute Orphaned Baby Elephant and Giraffe Are The Best of Friends [Video]
• The Elephant Whisperers: Heartwarming Oscar-Nominated Netflix Documentary Follows A Tribal Couple Who Fosters an Orphaned Baby Elephant

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