I am not usually touched by stories about abandoned pets, endangered species and puppy mills; I am more concerned about peace, justice and child survival which is my profession. Yet I’ve just finished watching this week’s Nature program on PBS about Urban Elephants. I was really impressed by a special project in TN run for the benefit of old and “discardable” circus elephants - sort of a retirement home.
The Nature program closed with a story about Shirley’s introduction to the farm. Shirley hadn’t seen another elephant for some 20 odd years. Old, shriveled and crippled Shirley arrived with her handler after a 14 hour truck trip. Her handler, sad in leaving her, knew that she would adjust well. What was so wonderful to watch was her reunion with another resident elephant, Jenny, who had been in the circus with Shirley twenty years ago. The two old ladies cuddled and stroked each other in greeting. What memories these old ladies have.
Sniff, Snivel, Sniff: catch the Urban Elephant program on PBS’s Nature TV program if you can.