A recent video shared by Parveen Kaswan on Twitter has touched a chord in the hearts of many—an incredibly powerful reminder of the deep emotional lives animals lead. It’s a short clip, but one that captures an astonishing moment of grief, love, and mourning among a family of elephants. Watching it, you can’t help but feel a profound sense of awe—both at the elephants’ capacity for empathy and the raw, silent way they express their sorrow.
In the video, which is shot from a distance, we see an empty road—no roaring engines, no busy traffic—just a quiet stretch of earth where elephants have gathered. The scene is somber; a gentle sadness hangs in the air. A cluster of elephants forms a sort of mourning circle, and within that circle, one elephant approaches softly, carrying something carefully in its trunk. It’s a small, young elephant—perhaps just a calf—whose body lies lifeless on the ground. Its eyes are closed, and it’s clear from the scene that this is a moment of immense grief. The adult elephant in front appears to be in a state of anguish, but its movements are delicate and gentle, almost reverent.
With care and immense tenderness, the elephant approaches the tiny body, then slowly and lovingly drops it on the side of the road. The act is so gentle, so heartbreaking—like a parent saying a final goodbye, almost afraid to disturb the peace of their young one’s rest. More elephants arrive silently, fitting into a somber circle around the small body. For a moment, there’s silence—no trumpets, no aggressive sounds—just quiet tears in the form of body language and slow, mournful movements.
What strikes me most—and what makes this video so powerful—is watching how the entire herd seems to participate in this grief. They are not indifferent; they are not distant or detached animals. Instead, they are emotionally connected, expressing their sorrow in the only way they know how—by staying close and paying their respects. The elephants’ faces are gentle, almost human in their expressions of sadness, and their slow, deliberate gestures seem to convey empathy and understanding, qualities we often associate only with humans.
The adult elephants don’t just passively observe; they stay by the side of the tiny calf, forming a sort of procession of mourning. Some gently touch the body with their trunks, others stand close as if to shield it from the world. They carry this grief with them, continuing on their journey, but not without this silent, poignant farewell. After a few moments of quiet reverence, the elephants slowly disperse, leaving the calf’s body behind, a symbol of the profound bond they shared—even in death.
Watching that scene, I found myself reflecting on how animals, particularly elephants, are capable of such deep emotions. It challenges our typical view that animals are only instinct-driven beings—without feelings or a capacity for mourning. This moment, shared across social media and seen by millions, is a powerful reminder that love, empathy, and grief are universal. They are part of life’s rich tapestry, woven into the very fabric of their existence, just as much as it is in ours.
The video also makes us realize how often we overlook the emotional depths of animals. We see them as creatures of instinct, or symbols of strength and resilience, but not often as beings capable of mourning their young in such a tender way. To witness how these elephants gather around their fallen calf, forming a silent funeral procession, is to witness a profound lesson in empathy. It’s an invitation to see animals not just as wild creatures or symbols of nature’s beauty, but as sentient, feeling beings capable of experiencing love and loss just like us.
It’s easy to get caught up in the busy, noisy world we live in. We forget that these animals—who share our planet—operate on the same emotional levels, driven by bonds of kinship, love, and the need for connection. Watching that silent mourning in the video, I was struck by how much we can learn from them. They remind us that love isn’t exclusive to humans; it’s a universal force that crosses species boundaries, manifesting in moments of grief, compassion, and connection.
The power of this short clip lies not just in its visuals but in its capacity to stir us emotionally and to inspire a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world. It prompts us to think about our own relationships, our own capacity to show kindness and compassion—to those we love and those in need. Because if animals can grieve so profoundly and openly, shouldn’t we also be more aware of the importance of empathy in our daily lives?
In a way, this moment of mourning among elephants is a universal story—one of loss, love, and remembrance. It’s a story that reaches beyond the boundaries of species and culture, reminding us that we are all connected through the fundamental experience of emotion. And though their way of expressing grief may be silent, it is loud enough to remind us of the beauty and complexity of life itself—a reminder
