Many creatures in the animal kingdom hate the rain. The second it starts to pour, they run for the cover of trees and dens. But that was not the case for this herd of elephants.
Do you remember the first time you saw a rainstorm when you were a kid? For many kids, the best part of the rain was running through it. While these elephants did not run, their joy was plain to see.
Instead of taking cover, this quartet of elephants walked into the middle of the clearing. As they gathered together, the elephants started to sing, their music mingling with the sound of the rain and thunder.
You might have heard an elephant trumpet before. Most of the time, their noises offer signals to other members of their herd or serve as a warning to other animals.
This time was different. As the rain pattered down to the dry earth below, the elephants let out a chorus of trumpets. Their sounds were long and sustained as if they were crying out with glee.
While they sang, the elephants grabbed clumps of fresh mud in their trunks and tossed them onto their backs and legs. With their music, their actions took on a ritualistic quality.
When it comes to elephants, there is still so much we do not know. Because of that, it is even more important we preserve and support their species in the years to come.
