Rogue elephants like rebellious teenagers
Elephants are social creatures with defined roles for everyone in the herd.
The herd is matriarchal, dominated by mothers and aunties. When the male babies grow to adolescence, they are kicked out of the herd, leaving their sisters and mother behind.
We saw several of these lonely guys roaming around in the African bush today. They form bachelor herds that hang out together and wait for female elephants to go into heat.
Like most teenagers, they are relatively harmless, ripping up bushes and pushing down trees as a way of showing off to one another. But occasionally one of them will go rogue. Some social gene in their brain fails to kick in and they run amok, creating havoc.
The usual remedy for a rogue elephant is to shoot it. Left to their own devices, they’ll destroy things and corrupt their peers. One creative solution for a bachelor herd that has been corrupted by a rogue is to bus in an elephant mother. Inevitably, the mother reestablishes order in the herd.
As I reflect on the state of the American teenager hanging out in herds that roam our nation’s malls and sneer at their elders, it seems to me that a good solution might be to parachute in a few mothers to reestablish order.
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I suppose that is kind of what we are doing here in South Africa. In some ways, we are being mothers that will reestablish order in the lives of orphans and other kids that come to these care points. With faith that the love of God can redeem any corruption, and bring order and hope to their lives.
After reading the last sentence, all that went through me was a big smile and a “Nice.” What a great comparison. Teenagers left to their own devices and frustrations without nurturing and guidance can be a very scary thing, just as an elephant on a rampage would be.
That is beautiful, Kim. Just beautiful.
I am the father of a June WR racer, Allison Johnston. Your comment about the need for parachuting mother elephants mad eme laugh out loud. (I know that’s not what you said but I had this image.)
Anyway, where the heck are these mothers (and fathers)? It makes me nuts when I see kids with no moral direction, no sense of respect or love each other. Who will “mother” them? While the Church has a role, it cannotfill that void in their lives completely, as there is a biologic link that works best.
We have a small business and hire women to provide care for the elderly. Half of the folks who call for interviews fail to show up! We ask ourselves, “Who raised these people?” No word from them, no courtesy for our time or efforts. Where was their mother?
Anyway, your herd idea is dead on.
Steve Johnston
I just love animals! And another news I just found out that Manila Zoo has a cute elephant named Mali, and she is the only elephant in the Philippines! She has lived there for almost all of her lives, for more than 30 years. The zoo should feel like her sweet and cozy home now. But then, I read some articles in PETAAsiaPacific.com, and I noticed that Mali is in fact sad and lonely! Look at her here: https://www.facebook.com/FreeMali. She is like a prisoner, who cannot spend her days with her friends, roam in vast territories, and have delicious adequate food! She even suffers from foot problems. Why does she deserve this? 🙁 Please Help Her!
I just love animals! And another news I just found out that Manila Zoo has a cute elephant named Mali, and she is the only elephant in the Philippines! She has lived there for almost all of her lives, for more than 30 years. The zoo should feel like her sweet and cozy home now. But then, I read some articles in PETAAsiaPacific.com, and I noticed that Mali is in fact sad and lonely! Look at her here: https://www.facebook.com/FreeMali. She is like a prisoner, who cannot spend her days with her friends, roam in vast territories, and have delicious adequate food! She even suffers from foot problems. Why does she deserve this? 🙁 Please Help Her!