Materialism is Debunked

[u/Lugh_Intueri]

Lawrence Anthony, a conservationist, had a close freindship with a herd of elephant at his game reserve in Africa. He had rescued and rehabilitated them and over time, they developed a trust.

Lawrence Anthony died in 2012. Two days after the elephant herd led by the matriarch traveled 12 miles to his home. They stayed there for two days, mourning as they do their dead.

The elephants had no material way of knowing about Lawrence's passing. There were no phone call, no messages, and no visible signs for them.

After this, the elephants returned again exactly one year later.

https://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/saying-goodbye-elephants-hold-apparent-vigil-to-mourn-their-human-friend.ht

https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/mind-blowing-power-of-love-20100925-15rl7.html

[u/noodlyman]

By far the most probable explanation is that the story is not entirely accurate. It seems to originate in a book by his wife.

How can I tell the whole thing is but made up?

Had the elephants visited on other occasions? We're not told. Ie, it could be a coincidence.

The story suggests the house was different from usual, with people coming and going. Maybe it sounded different to the elephants.

It being annual isn't too much of a stretch. Lots of animals have built in clocks or calendars, including cicadas who emerge from the ground on the same day after 13 years.

So my tentative hypothesis might be:

Elephants arrived at the house either by chance, because of a difference in sounds, or because they noticed he was missing and knew where his home was.

Subsequent annual visits require only an intelligence and memory, things we know elephants have.