Beyond human comprehension lies a silent, intuitive resonance—a profound testament to the unyielding bonds of memory, gratitude and devotion that unite all living beings.
“Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of three books, including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.
On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, two sons, two grandsons, and numerous elephants.
Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved ‘man-friend’. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African house.
Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence’s passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.
Lawrence’s wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for a year and half! But yet they knew where they were going.
The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honouring their friend who’d saved their lives – so much respect that they stayed for two days and two nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.”
By: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer https://www.facebook.com/drwaynedyer
Pic of Lawrence and Francoise Anthony courtesy: https://www.origo.hu/
Image of book covers courtesy: https://www.goodreads.com/
Oct. 2026 update: Following the passing of Lawrence Anthony, his widow Françoise Malby-Anthony took over the stewardship of the Thula Thula Private Game Reserve—located in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, approximately two hours north of Durban and near the town of Empangeni—leading vital anti-poaching operations and establishing a wildlife rehabilitation centre, a journey she chronicled in her books An Elephant in My Kitchen and The Elephants of Thula Thula. Under her leadership, the reserve expanded its protected territory to 5,000 hectares to accommodate the growing elephant herd, while the wild elephants themselves continued their extraordinary legacy of remembrance by returning to the main house every year on the anniversary of Lawrence’s passing.