The Elephant Ride
Elephants are one of the most mystical creatures to walk the earth. Despite their size, they look so graceful.
My love of elephants has been with me for as long as I can remember. I have an adopted one wandering around in the wilderness of Africa and a display cabinet full of elephant ornaments. Now when I look back, my first experience with an elephant really wouldn't happen anymore and nor would I want it to. There is nothing I want more than for the elephants in the wild to be free to go about their lives without danger and for there to be no need for their conservation in captivity but that may be a massive ask, unfortunately.
I am however really pleased that they are no longer oggled at in a circus environment where they are made to perform tricks for an audience and fill the pockets of their owners. Sadly this is where I met and fell in love with elephants though and although I’m sad about it now I’m so grateful for it too.
I will always remember how I felt standing outside that red and white stripy tent whilst it flapped around in the wind which carried the sweet smell of candyfloss and popcorn. I was 5 or 6 years old, who I was with is lost to me, for many years have passed in between the event and me writing this now. The only thing that is etched on my mind's eye is the incredible animal with its huge stature and dark knowledgeable eyes. We were gestured in to the tent one by one it was humid inside and spelt of a mixture of urine and hay.
I stood there looking up at her in awe of her presence. Tentively I held out my hand and let her snuffle the monkey nuts up with her trunk. It tickled and felt warm.
not only did I get to feed this magnificent beast, I also got to take a ride. Climbing up on to her back was a daunting task and I was giddy with anticipation. The keeper guided me up the steps and helped me onto a very ornaite saddle. It was a tapestry covered in deep purples, pinks and gold with a wooden back rest. Being so small I had to have the handler with me as we were led around the tent. I can remember the rocking motion and the feel of the rough, leathery, tough texture of her skin. There were deep rivets running across it like a sun parched river bed and it was just as dusty.
Although the memory is some what faded like an old sepia photograph, I will hang on to it as much as I can. Now I am older and possibly a bit wiser, I am glad the rules have changed about animals kept in captivity and at least in this country (UK) we no longer have animals performing tricks in circus’s.
These beautiful creatures need to be cherished and protected and hopefully one day I will get to see them in their natural habitat but until then I will just keep adding to my collection of ornimental ones.
#elephants #WWFanimals #conservation
