The Elephant Whisperers

The message from Shruti (my colleague n friend)was brief 'Tomorrow is World Wildlife Day). Obviously the idea was a trigger to think of a campaign.

Which set me thinking - if I were to do something what would that be.

I am sure we will see many dramatic press / TV / social media advertising talking about how wildlife is getting affected by rise in pollution, felling of trees & hence disappearing of many species from the planet. 

But what would create ‘wonderment’ in my children, friends, family so that we can take home a  castaway cat / dog or give food to a deprived dog in our bylane rather than chasing them.

As I sat thinking I recollected the documentary which I have been promoting to all my friends, children & family.

The Elephant Whisperers on Netflix

The documentary was filmed in the Theppakadu elephant camp in the forests of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. It follows Bomman and Bellie, middle-aged baby elephant caretakers who belong to the Kattunayakan tribe and their unique relationship with Raghu and Ammu, baby elephants separated from their herds. 

It was one of the most immersive experiences of last year. Unlike other wildlife documentaries which are great to look at because of their unique & never before seen exposure of the animals, this was about a relationship & trust built by a parent and child belonging to 2 different species & their unconditional love.

The film runtime is only 39 minutes, but in this 39 minutes you would have seen:

#unconditional love from a human being on a baby elephant - the other way round is of course given and stated many times over

#team spirit between 2 people thrown together 

#growing up tantrums 

#harsh reality of life when love is also followed by separation

&

# elephants playing football & doing all the tricks you would have seen in many Hindi movies.

If this does not move you to be kind, I wonder what will.