A recent video posted on Twitter by Parveen Kaswan captures a poignant and powerful moment, showcasing the deep familial bonds among a group of elephants. In the video, a gathering of people and vehicles can be seen halting on an otherwise deserted road, not for a protest or disruption, but to allow a mourning elephant family to grieve.
The video footage depicts an elephant tenderly carrying the motionless body of a young calf with its trunk. The bereaved elephant gently lays the calf by the roadside, where other elephants quickly assemble. Together, they form a somber circle around the fallen calf, creating a heart-rending display of shared sorrow.
As per Parveen Kaswan, who shared the video, this elephant family remains beside the calf, forming what he describes as a “funeral procession.” Even as they proceed, they continue to carry the calf with them, offering a poignant and touching homage to their loss.
This deeply moving moment provides a rare glimpse into the profound familial ties elephants possess, underscoring their capacity for empathy and grief. It serves as a poignant reminder that these majestic creatures experience love and loss in ways that strikingly parallel human emotions.