The Moment You Make Eye Contact: A Visit to an Elephant Preserve

There are so many things people can experience that defy description: discovering your soul mate, seeing your child for the first time, getting your degree, reaching the summit of the mountain. At times like those, we may experience the sensation of fully landing in that moment and just allowing ourselves to be. It’s as if time stops or slows down and we savor every detail of the moment—the feelings, the smells, the sounds…every sense is heightened. We take a deep breath, and with that breath we may realize how connected we truly are with our world and the things and beings in it.

[image error]

For me, experiences that produce this effect have always
involved nature. Seeing the birth of an animal, riding a horse as it gallops
across a field, holding a puppy, watching a bird build its nest, each of these
fills me with wonder. But one experience I rarely get to indulge in involves my
love for elephants. In my travels, I recently visited a preserve where
elephants were the star attraction, and for me it was magical.

Looking into the eyes of an elephant is to peer into an old
soul. The moment I make eye contact, there’s a feeling of connecting with an
ancient wisdom, with a fellow-creature that understands what life is all about.
Pain, sensitivity, strength, family values, tenacity, hope, and a search for
moments of joy all shine out of those deep, clear amber orbs. And their many
sounds or vocalizations add to their mystique. From clicks and barks that are
almost dog-like to low rumbling sounds that literally vibrate through the human
body, elephants have a lot to say.

Elephants can live for up to seventy years and are not only
the largest land mammals, but they are also the only ones that grieve for their
family members as humans do. They shed tears when they are upset and trumpet
with joy when they are having a good time, such as when they are swimming or
cavorting in the water.

It’s not easy being an elephant: both African and Asian
elephants have such reduced environments that it’s difficult for them to find
enough to eat. It can take them 16 to 18 hours or more every day to forage for
the 200-500 pounds of leaves, roots, stems, bark, grass, and fruit that they
need to survive. On top of all that, an elephant needs about 50 gallons of
water a day, which is not always easy to find.

[image error]

Their trunk—which has no bones but instead contains over
40,000 different muscles which are divided into 150,000 muscle units—isn’t a
straw to drink through. Elephants drink by filling their trunks partway with
water and then spraying that water into their mouth. In contrast to the
elephant’s muscular trunk, the entire human body contains only 639 muscles. The
elephant’s trunk is sensitive enough to pick up a dime, yet strong enough to
uproot and move an entire tree when necessary. Elephants also use their trunks
as an expressive means of communicating with their young and their fellow herd
members. Elephants are very contact-driven; they touch each other a lot to
comfort, soothe, and communicate with one another.

[image error]

If you’ve never had the privilege of touching an elephant,
allow me to share my experience. Their skin is about an inch thick, warm to the
touch, highly textured, and yet sensitive. Elephants are covered with wiry
hair, literally the texture of a wire brush, and have eyelashes that are over
two inches long. The elephants I interacted with loved being given a bath,
brushed with a scrub brush, and scratched. They were very patient and even
seemed indulgent as those of us in the group interacted with them, and they
often closed their eyes as the contact from their human groomers felt pleasant
to them. Elephants know how to live in the moment, which is always a good
reminder for humans living our relentlessly fast-paced lives.

[image error]

Elephants are fiercely loyal and communal. Herds are comprised
of females and young males. Mature males live a mostly solitary life, but the
females are together constantly, and all take part in nurturing the young of
the herd. The oldest and largest female in the herd is the matriarch, and it is
her responsibility to make major decisions for the herd (usually about 6-12
elephants), know where the food and water needed for the day will come from,
watch for the safety of the herd, and teach young cows how to care for their
young.

[image error]

One of the many lessons elephants can teach us is the value of
matriarchs. In this part of the world, older people, particularly women, are
often marginalized and even isolated and neglected. But they have so much value
as human beings, and so much to teach us!

[image error]

My grandmother and great aunt had a significant, positive
impact on my early life that stays with me to this day. How much could you and
your family learn from an older person in your family or community? Spending
time together will reveal the wealth of wisdom and life perspective provided by
such precious elders, as well as bring great joy and connection to those who might
otherwise be isolated. Looking into their eyes, their soul, and making a
meaningful connection is something you’ll never forget.

Cardboard Box Adventures
Picture Books are great for shared reading and can help parents establish a
strong preliteracy foundation for their children. Check out the new CBA Catalog
for a full list of
award-winning picture books, chapter books, and resources for parents and
educators.