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We whispered in the Giant’s Ear

We whispered in the Giant’s Ear

We whispered in the Giant’s Ear

We whispered in the Giant’s Ear

As locals, we are able to get up close and personal with a wide variety of wild animals in the Lowveld, but unlike some extremely brave tourists, we all know that we cannot just climb out of our cars and pat an elephant on the back.

We do however really want this experience, just like any tourist does. The Lowveld feels like our backyard, and we long for the opportunity to embrace our inner Tarzan or Jane and connect with the wildlife of our beautiful region.

Or maybe this was just the view of my husband and I, as we took a drive over to our neighbours in Hazyview, to whisper in a giant’s ear. We were ecstatically excited to get up close and personal with the elephants of Elephant Whispers.

Elephant Whispers is a sanctuary dedicated to the protection and care of elephants. It is a place where visitors can interact with these magnificent creatures and learn all about elephant conservation. The five resident elephants, Tembo, Shamwari, Ziziphus, Lindiwe and Andile, playfully mingle with guests during educational encounters and demonstrations.

Our experience started when we were led down a path to an outdoor arena where the five giants were waiting. The qualified guides at the sanctuary gave an informative talk detailing the care and treatment of these animals. They explained how Elephant Whispers has a unique approach to caring for the animals, which focuses on the elephants’ emotional wellbeing and understanding their psyche. Elephants are conscious, intelligent, and emotional beings. They build complex emotional bonds, much like humans.

During demonstrations, we witnessed how the elephants skilfully execute individual instructions, responding to their names and performing tasks flawlessly. Having the largest brain of any land mammal and an IQ nearly as high as that of a chimpanzee, elephants have incredible memories. They are able to recognize as many as 30 companions by sight or smell. Besides the usual herd members, they are also able to remember any other creature that has made a strong impression.

The highlight of our day came when we personally met Tembo, the largest elephant of the herd, weighing over 7 tons, truly embodying the description of ‘gentle giant’. Tembo was two years old when he was orphaned after his herd was culled. Raised by humans on land bordering farms, Tembo regularly raided crops, causing serious damage, and putting his future in danger. Thankfully Tembo was relocated to his new family where he soon took on the role of protector in his herd.

Stepping closer to Tembo, we were humbled by the magnificence of his size, his powerful presence and yet playful demeanour, as he eagerly lifted his trunk continuously posing for the cameras. The staff instantly offered to take our smartphones to record every moment of the interaction so that we don’t miss out on anything during our time with him.

Guides led us from trunk to side, educating us on how the elephant’s body functions, from the way they regulate their body temperature to the way that their tongues, never leaving their mouths, and unable to lick, simply contracts and guides the food back and down. We found that even though an elephant’s skin is hard and rough, behind their ears, it is velvety soft.

From feeding to hugging, our interaction with Tembo was truly an unforgettable experience. It cultivated a sense of awe and wonder, showcased the raw beauty of nature, and provided us with an opportunity to learn about elephant conservation intimately. It was a heartwarming journey that left us with a renewed connection to nature and appreciation of wildlife and the conservation thereof.

To learn more about Elephant Whispers, click here (https://www.elephantwhispers.co.za)

Ps. If you would like to be featured in an upcoming Sociably blog, please get in touch! We would love to experience what you have to offer and write all about it!