Elephants are magnificently beautiful animals, that never fail to catch the wonder of humans.

But they are

much more than meets the eye. They are sentient, gentle beings with strong ethics. Their lives deceivingly
simple, are highly complex. They shoulder on themselves the health of a forest and the various inhabitants
of it. In fact, in the fight against climate change elephants are the warriors that we need to preserve and
conserve. Today as we celebrate Save The Elephant Day, let’s take a moment to learn from the wisdom of
the elephants… 

1. Be a feminist. Elephants herds are fantastic examples of what happens when you have a female
leader. The matriarch, generally the oldest adult female member, is deeply respected by the herd
members who trust her ancestral wisdom. The matriarch never shies away from making tough
decisions for the survival of the herd, whether it be leading them long distances to vegetation or
water during drought. Under her strong leadership, the herd is well-protected and sails through
adversities. So, listen to the elephants and trust the ladies!
2. Be the hero that society needs! Elephants are the good Samaritans of the jungles- they take care of the
needs of the other animals. They have a keen sense of smell that enables them to detect water sources up to
19.2km away. Elephants using their tusks, dexterous trunks and front feet, dig up water holes that not only
helps to quench their thirst, but also several other species who would have otherwise dehydrated to death.
Many animals rely on elephants to open mineral licks in the jungle that provide them with vital minerals for
the healthy functioning of their body. Elephants for sure believe in the greater good!
3. Give out hugs. Empathy is a strong emotion felt by elephants. Through their elaborate system of
communication, an elephant can detect when something is amiss with their herd member. Elephants
communicate tactilely and are always ready with trunk touches to console a fallen elephant. Elephant
mothers, especially, wrap their trunks around their unsure calves to reassure them. Trunk hugs are a
common way of elephants reassuring their companions. Elephants do know the power of a supportive hug!
4. Plant! Plant! Plant! Elephants take their title ‘Gardeners of the Forests’ very seriously. Many trees and
plants rely on elephants to disperse their seeds or pollinate their flowers. The seeds of the fruits consumed
by the elephants pass through their guts which come out with their dung. When the conditions are right,
these seeds germinate giving birth to new plant life. In fact, as elephants walk through the thick forests, they
create new pathways and clearings that give space for new plants to grow. Planting trees never did anyone
harm, and elephants surely do realise that!
5. Go the DIY way: make your own eco-friendly products! Giving dust-baths comes naturally to the elephants.
While this might incite an ‘ew’ from humans, there is a purpose to elephants plastering themselves with dust
or mud. The forests are not an easy place to live in as bugs are omnipresent to attack you. Sometimes there
is no cover from the harsh sun as elephants drink water from ponds. In these times, elephants resort to
making their own bug repellent and sunscreen by mixing mud and water together and splattering it all over
their body using their trunks. Elephants absolutely love to enjoy their all-natural self-care routine, giving us
all food for thought.

7 Behaviors That Prove Elephants Are Incredibly Smart

1. THEY CAN IDENTIFY LANGUAGES.

2. THEY CAN USE TOOLS.
3. THEY UNDERSTAND HUMAN BODY LANGUAGE.
4. THEY SHOW EMPATHY.
5. THEY MOURN THEIR DEAD.
6. THEY MIMIC HUMAN VOICES.
7. THEY HAVE EXTRAORDINARY MEMORIES.
Let us see 8 top life lessons from elephants to learn:

1. They demonstrate patience 

The elephant’s gestation period during pregnancy is approximately 22 months, unlike humans. It requires
patience as the graceful animal bear the child inside with serenity and moves along in life. Therefore,
elephants demonstrate tolerance and teach us to follow the same in life.

2. They teach us about endurance

Elephants often walk many kilometres in the search for food and water and maraud in forests for 16-18
hours a day. It clearly demonstrates their endurance and strength. We, humans, are far superior to the race of
elephants and should learn resilience and perseverance from them.

3. They teach us about teamwork and family values

Elephants often move in herds while searching for food and water, displaying teamwork and bonding skills.
They are known to develop strong, intimate bonds between friends and family members.

The greatest thing about these family groups is that they’re not sometimes biologically related, yet they treat
them all as family and part of the community.

4. They teach us about matriarchy and community living

Elephants are ruled by an older female who often leads effortlessly with a peaceful and less forceful
approach. Therefore, the elephants demonstrate that matriarchy can easily prevail and thrive.

Also, elephants teach us about community living. The entire herd takes care of the elders and the baby
elephants. It shows their community orientation, nurturing nature, and values of respect embedded in their
value ecosystem.

5. They teach us to give back to nature

The elephants disperse seeds far and wide as they move, feed, and defecate. And in their dung are the seeds.
When they walk around, they disperse seeds in their waste, and these seeds become trees. Also, elephant
dung is a perfect fertilizer as it is rich in nutrients and nourishes the soil.

Therefore, elephants thrive in nature and give back to nature. They care for nature by paying it back. What
do we humans pay back to nature- deforestation, pollution? It is time for us to reflect and give back what
mighty nature deserves before it consumes us all.

6. They teach us to sacrifice and move on

Humans have tragically impacted elephants. The ivory trade and poaching over generations have devastated
these beautiful animals. Much of the population has been affected by deforestation and overcrowding of
people in their habitat. Yet elephants continue as they have, living in balance with nature the best they can.

Elephants teach us to bear and witness the loss of species and to be aware of our own destinies. 

7. They teach us to enjoy the simple pleasures of life

Elephants enjoy playing in the water, marauding the fields, eating sugar canes and napping. They take
simple pleasures in life by enjoying the little things that come their way. 
8. They teach us never to forget but forgive

Elephants demonstrate an elephantine memory. An elephant’s memory is critical to its survival and for its
herd in the wild. So how does it happen? A great deal of elephants’ survival can be attributed to their
remarkable memories. 

Science has also proven that elephants have great memories. Elephants almost certainly know every member
in their group and exhibit cognitive abilities far in advance than other animals have shown to have. 

Humans have taken up their habitats and domesticated them. There have been several incidences of cruelty
by humans towards these animals, yet elephants love humans and are their best friends. They know to
coexist together by forgiving us despite our atrocities. 

Therefore, we humans should learn from elephants to never forget but forgive!
1) Narrate 1 superpower each of any 5 animals as shown in the video 'Animal Intelligence'

Elephants use tools to reach for elevated food and have an incredible memory

An Octopus can open jars after watching humans do so and are also able to learn from fellow octopuses.

Raccoons are excellent burglars and can open different locks such as latches, bolts, plugs or push bars or all of them
together to access their favourite foods.

Bees communicate using a special waggle dance to indicate the location and quality of food to other bees.

Koko, the gorilla, was renowned for her emotional depth and ability to communicate in sign language.

And of course, many species of bird have varied abilities to imitate human language like parrots.

2) Explain, in detail, 3 lessons or life skills that they can learn from elephants .

Lesson 1: Family really matters

Lesson 2: Stay in touch (even if you're far away )

Lesson 3: Grief is natural... don't hide your emotions

Lesson 4: Become a hugger