For the Sake of Science

This story about an elephant and her friend is incredible:

In 2009, CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman introduced you to a couple of very unlikely friends who couldn’t have been more different. But from the moment Tarra the elephant met Bella the dog, they were inseparable.

The Elephant Sanctuary south of Nashville is more than 2,000 acres of freedom for elephants. But for a resident named Tarra, there’s not enough room in Tennessee to escape the bad news she got last week.

“Certainly her whole demeanor changed,” said Rob Atkinson, the sanctuary’s CEO. “She became more reserved, quieter, she was depressed.”…

Last week, sanctuary workers found Bella’s body. By all indications she’d been attacked by coyotes. Whether Tarra witnessed it, tried to intervene or was too late – no one knows. All they do know is that where they found Bella is not where she was attacked.

Tarra carried Bella’s body close to a mile, laying it down near a building on the sanctuary. It is the same building where Tarra stayed for three straight weeks when Bella previously became injured.

This is a tremendously fascinating story. It goes to demonstrate some amazing characteristics present in the animal world, especially amongst elephants. The article seems to sum things up quite nicely, but do go to the link to watch the video.

Filed under: Biology | Tagged: Dog, Elephant, Tarra and Bella, Tennessee, The Elephant Sanctuary |