Elephants — They’re Just Like Us
April 6, 2008
Andrew Sullivan posted this video of an elephant painting its own self-portrait:
Elephants can also recognize themselves in the mirror and use language.
It’s so terribly sad that they’re abused so cruelly by circuses and in zoos and hunted in the wild for their ivory.
This is breathtaking. I had no idea that the elephant mind was so artistic.
How can humans brutally hunt these elegant and brilliant creatures? I have seen video of elephant babies in the wild who were left grieving by their mothers’ slaughtered bodies.
I, for one, would spit on anyone who openly approved of this evil practice.
Obviously, we have a lot to learn from these gentle giants.
it is true, they are amazing mamals. They are one of the few animals other than humans to purposefully alter their environment other than humans. Elephant herds regularly remove encroaching acacia trees from the savana that provides them with their food stuffs. Further more, they are some of the most careful of mamilian parents, keeping careful watch over their young for many years. In fact, they quite probably match the intellegence of some whales. I would suggest checking out David Attenbouroughs “The Life of mammals ” documentary series for further information about the amazing attributes of mammals of all kinds.
Personally I think it’s pretty obvious that elephants demonstrate self-awareness - one of the key features of what we consider to be a sentient, intelligent species.
Wow! It made me cry!