More Than Big Dogs

Hands down, India is one of the best places in the world to encounter elephants. The animal has been a pivotal part of Indian culture for thousands of years. Considering they live to be almost fifty, it’s understandable that some Indians have formed deep, lifelong bonds with them. The saying “an elephant never forgets” is mostly true. Compared to our three-pound brain, an elephant’s brain weighs a whopping eleven pounds!

For this reason, much like us, they are regarded as some of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom. It’s easy to understand why humans and elephants have developed such deep friendships. Elephants have altruistic qualities. They’re willing to help those they care about, even if it’s at their own expense. They even display self-awareness and grief when a loved one dies.