I love Elephants!!

Elephants are my most favorite animal ever. To me they are just the most fascinating creatures not only because of how insanely large they are but they are like really really smart too!! And they move so incredibly steady for being sooooo huge. I mean literally they are the earths largest creature. So when I decided to come to South Africa to volunteer I also decided that I clearly needed to meet an Elephant. It was one of those things I knew I couldn’t leave without doing. Well this weekend my hopes and dreams came true because I got to spend some time all by myself (except for the elephant men who were there to insure that Mr. Tambo didn’t smash me) playing with, feeding and touching an elephant.

Basically this is how it went down. I got to meet two elephants. The mama matriarch who wasn’t so sure about me and was a bit territorial and then Tambo who loved me and all the attention I was giving him. Mama Matriarch was 24 years old and just beautiful.. I could have starred at her all day but she kept stamping her feet so they took her away to eat some leaves. Tambo was equally as handsome but a bit younger he was only 20 years old. Now when they told me he was young I thought 20 isn’t that young. So then I asked “Exactly how long do elephants live?” The answer to that question ladies and gents is 65 to 80 years!! Yet another reason why elephants are so awesome..

So basically here’s the gist of my Elephant Interaction and what I thought was so insanely cool:

·         Elephants never stop growing!! They just keep getting bigger. Kinda crazy to think about. Especially when you are standing next to one who is the same age as you and he is towering over you by at least 4 feet.

·         Elephants continue to loose and grow new teeth throughout their life. But when they stop growing new ones they die because they no longer have a way to eat. L

·         They communicate to one another through stomach rumblings which vibrate through their legs and feet and then other elephants pick up those vibrations through their own feet. Incredible right.

·         They are extremely smart… for example the elephant men had me hide my bag and shoes along with two other shoes and a cap that belonged to the other elephant men around the elephant camp. All while Tambo was looking away. Then within two minutes Tambo found all of our belongings and matched them to the correct owner. I was impressed.

·         There skin is hard like cement yet it’s more sensitive than our own skin.

·         Tambo understands English, Swahili and some Cossa. That’s a Tri-langual elephant for you right there. I told him that will look good on any application.

Needless to say I adore elephants and I kinda want one to keep forever. I mean only if I could find a beautiful backyard large enough. Oh also.. when Tambo greeted me he suction cupped his trunk onto my arm.. I won’t lie it frightened me at first but then he just knelt a bit and I realized he was just getting to know me.. Oh man I love elephants. Next goal in life: Make it to Thailand so I can ride one!!