Elephant Herd Mourns Conservationist Lawrence Anthony at Thula Thula

Conservationist Lawrence Anthony, known for rehabilitating a herd of nine wild African elephants at the Thula Thula Private Game Reserve in South Africa, died of a heart attack in 2012 at age 61. His wife, Francoise Malby-Anthony, reported that days after his death, the entire herd marched to their house, despite not having visited for over a year. This event, described as extraordinary proof of animal sensitivity, has been cited as evidence of elephants' unique mourning behaviors, which include stroking bones, guarding carcasses, and burying dead calves. Anthony's work with the elephants, which he detailed in the bestselling book 'The Elephant Whisperer' co-authored with journalist Graham Spence, involved earning their trust and helping them overcome trauma. Following his death, Malby-Anthony continued his legacy, running Thula Thula with a team of 50 employees, caring for elephants and rhinos. The reserve, which prohibits hunting, generates income through lodging. While accounts vary on the specifics—some say the elephants walked slowly in a solemn line for days, others that they stayed for two days and two nights—the story has been fact-checked by Snopes, which notes the lack of concrete proof beyond Malby-Anthony's account. Nonetheless, it aligns with elephants' powerful memory and sensitivity. The article also references related stories, including rescue elephants wearing hand-knitted sweaters and the last circus elephant in Portugal finding sanctuary.