Mimi Torchia Boothby

Esteemed by Elephants


Most humans love elephants, but wild African elephants generally only love elephants. I want to bring to your attention an exception. I would introduce you to Lawrence Anthony, born in 1950 in South Africa, the very man who rushed into Baghdad to rescue the surviving zoo animals after the US Invasion and the
terrible bombing there. This is the man who is esteemed by elephants, in fact, wild African elephants. A self proclaimed “bush child”, It seems he had been working with conservation and other animals down there for years when he was approached on two separate times, “take these rogue elephants or we’re going to shoot them.” They were so wild that they thought nothing of repeatedly charging through super hot electric fencing to regain their liberty. Lawrence Anthony took these animals on, finally actually living with them, to help them gain confidence and trust and finally acceptance. He died March the 2nd, 2012 of a heart attack, and the night he died, the elephants came back and milled around his house for the first time in over a year. I think they came to say goodbye.

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26 responses to “Esteemed by Elephants”

  1. what a wonderful story. and your painting so beautifully captures the gentle majesty of such amazing creatures. thank you for sharing!

  2. Nice post.
    Thank you for the tribute to a fellow countryman, He did an amazing service to the animals he came in contact with. Yes he was esteemed by elephants, men as well.
    Blessings, Geoff.

  3. Your painting and the story brought tears to my eyes, sooooooo beautiful!!! The amazing thing to me is wondering how did they know? WOW!!!!!!!!! Sigh… Deb

  5. I love that elephant! The best thing about going to a circus (I was 18 when I went to my first circus) was the smells — elephant dung is particularly pungent. . . .

    Elephants have always fascinated me.
    Mimi you’ve been so busy — producing one wonderful painting after another! Just Great!

  6. Great post and great portrait of an elephant, you can really sense it’s weight and strenght. Happy Easter and Happy PPF!

  16. Mimi, such a fantastic painting of the elephant. I had not heard the story of the elephant rescue before. Thanks for sharing.

  19. What a sweet and touching story. Thanks for sharing it and telling us more about the hearts of these elephants. Beautiful work, too!

  21. What a beautiful beautiful painting. It must have sprung from a spiritual place. I had heard the story of the elephants paying homage to this man before. Thank you for reminding me of his great works as well.

  22. This touching story of the power of love brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

  23. Lovely painting, lovely post. If you’re ever in St. Louis, stop by the River’s Edge habitat. The elephants are beautiful.

    While we’re on the topic, Mythbusters did an episode about animals. Turns out, the thing about elephants being afraid of mice–true.

    Joe
    E/Emberglow

  25. Love this post, and the story is so heart-warming. I think bonds do form with certain animals, if you gain their trust. Thanks for sharing this information.

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