At Arignar Anna Zoo in Chennai, southern India, an extraordinary bond has formed between orphaned elephant calves and the children of their caretakers.
This relationship, marked by mutual trust and affection, transcends natural boundaries and highlights the power of compassion.
Rescued from the forests, these young elephants are cared for by a dedicated team of mahouts and their families.
Among them, eight-year-old Nandini and six-year-old Lavindya, daughters of mahouts, are often seen riding on the back of Sharon, a 14-month-old orphaned calf rescued from the Sathyamangalam Forests.
The bond extends beyond caretaking into a shared daily routine. The children and elephants participate in activities together, such as attending school, playing football, and even sleeping side by side.
The zoo staff believes this unique relationship has been crucial to the elephants’ recovery and well-being since their rescue.
Eight-year-old Nandgopal and four-year-old Lavindya sleep peacefully beside Giri, another orphaned calf from the Hosur Forest. Rajan, a 25-year-old mahout, is particularly amazed by his daughter Lavindya’s connection with the elephants.
Despite being just four years old, she can command the calves, who respond by wrapping their trunks around her affectionately.
This deep emotional connection has flourished over the past year, beginning with Sharon’s arrival, the zoo’s first orphaned elephant.
Their mornings start with a refreshing bath, filled with laughter and playful splashes. Four-year-old Nandini and eight-year-old Nandgopal often give Sharon a soothing scrub after a long day.
Following their bath, the elephants are fed a nutritious mix of milk, coconut water, and glucose to ensure their strength and health.
Instead of a traditional school bus, the children ride to school on the backs of the elephants, with their school bags carried in the elephants’ trunks.
After school, the village becomes a lively playground where children and elephants engage in spirited football matches and joyful chases.
Six-year-old Anu skillfully cares for an adult orphaned elephant, demonstrating the strong bonds formed.
Despite these heartwarming moments, the zoo faces challenges. Although government-funded, it needs additional resources to improve care for the calves.
P.L. Ananthasamy, the zoo’s director, emphasizes the need for increased funding to establish a dedicated rehabilitation center for orphaned calves.
The friendship and caregiving bonds between the children and orphaned elephants highlight their indispensable roles in each other’s lives, showcasing the unique connections that can thrive across species.
