What a moving video of 2 elephants reunited after 22 years! The Dallas Zoo had an elephant, named Jenny, who was alone for 22 years after they had sent one elephant to another zoo for mating. There was talk about sending her to a zoo in Mexico, but the outcry from animal lovers prevented that. Now, finally, there are 2 more elephants.

While this reunion is beautiful, there is an underlying, gut-wrenching pathos. Elephants are very social animals and crave company, caring, and support from their own kind which they ordinarily share. Isolation, like their all-to-frequent treatment in circuses, is unconscionable torture. It is cruel to deprive an elephant of a companion … and for 22 years? … it is nearly barbaric.

Can you imagine the loneliness these animals felt to have been isolated for so long when they are naturally loving toward all members of their troop. At least now they each have companions to spend their days with.

It’s very rare for elephants to display this kind of emotion in captivity, and it’s probably the first time such a thing has been documented on film. Jenny and Shirley were elephants at the same circus when Jenny was a calf, and Shirley was in her twenties. The two lived one winter together, but then were separated twenty-two years ago. May Shirley live many more years to enjoy fully what she has longed for nearly a quarter of a century.

Note: Thanks to Dr. Signe A Dayhoff for sharing this with us…

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

From Val:

You may not know this but our much loved Team Member, Alex, joined us last Summer. Among many other tasks, she’s the one who creates this newsletter, and honestly, Dona and I don’t want to imagine life without her. She’s such a treasure.

And, we’re delighted to announce that she just had a Baby! Welcome Max! We know you’ve got lots of plans for your wonderful life, and wish you and your Momma much love always.

Special Announcement From Alex:
The miracle of life visited the Val Heart Family this past month with the birth of Margaux Adrienne. We’ll be calling her Max. I’m Alex, one of Val’s assistants, and I wanted to share with all of you the birth of my very beautiful and healthy baby girl, weighing 8 lbs and 5 ounces and almost 20 inches long.

I was born and raised in the Philippines but am currently based here in the States. I definitely can’t wait to tell Max about the adventures of her coming and the events that lead up to it. Being away from home and being a new mom at the same time is surely an unforgettable experience and in some ways, a challenge, but with the support of family, friends, workmates and boss, Ms. Val Heart, everything has been a blessing and for that, Max and I will always look back with grateful hearts. Life is beautiful!

-Alex Padilla

Be Sociable, Share!

•