Fact Check

The Elephant Whisperer

Groups of wild elephants traveled miles to visit Lawrence Anthony's home?

Published July 16, 2012

Claim:

Claim:   After 'Elephant Whisperer' Lawrence Anthony died, groups of wild elephants traveled miles to visit his home.


UNDETERMINED


Example:   [Collected via e-mail, July 2012]


Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books
including the bestseller The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and
rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities,
including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.

He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons & numerous
elephants.

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led
by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say
goodbye to their beloved man-friend.

A total of 20 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his
South African house.

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because
of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed
about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and
emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way.

Walking slowly - for days - making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue
from their habitat to his house.

Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the
elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over a year!

But yet they knew where they were going.

The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honouring
their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2
nights.

Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.


 

Origins:   Research in progress.

Last updated:   16 July 2012

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Sources:




    WHP-TV [Harrisburg, PA].   "Lie or Legit: Bird Eats Gum and Dies."

    4 August 2009.



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David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.