The Elephant: Old and Wise by Huub Keulers

For many (especially young) people, the elephant is the animal they are in awe of and admire the most. They think elephants are beautiful animals that should be protected. The elephant is the largest and heaviest animal living on land, and healthy adult elephants have no natural predators. Humans are the only real threat to elephants because elephants and humans both need plenty of space, food and water.

Elephants are very intelligent animals, essentially no less than humans. Only the elephant does not use its intelligence to kill others or to benefit itself. The social behaviour of elephants is extraordinary. Humans can take an example from elephants in many cases. They are peaceful and have no territory.

During droughts, they share water and food with each other. They have a special way of talking to each other (this is called "communication"), the infrasonic sound of which cannot be heard by humans. This allows elephants to talk to each other over long distances of many kilometres.

Elephants are fascinated by the tusks and bones of dead elephants. In most cases, they know who the bones belong to and show their respect, standing still by the bones and gently touching them with their trunks. When elephants find a dead human, they also stand still by the dead body and often cover it with dust or branches. Elephants do not do this to any other animal.

Elephants are very social, often touching and caressing each other. They have about the same emotions as humans. They are happy when family members meet. Elephants care for their family members and for weak or injured members and grieve over a dead companion.