An Apology to Elephants

Elephants are one of the most majestic and intelligent of all animals, and their familial and social connections rival ours.

Yet here we are, the cruel humans, beating and bull-hooking these gentle giants to within an inch of their life so they can learn to perform tricks for us.

Watching this movie was hard. Very hard, even for someone like me who knew about the tremendous abuse these elephants suffer since the time they were born and tore away from their mothers, till they die a beaten animal around 40 years age, half their normal life span. Might as well die early - why live this way?

But watch it, you all must. And it will make you think - and if you are someone with empathy, compassion to animals, you will be hard pressed not to be angry and ticked off. And sad. And resolve not to ever patronize a circus or even a zoo. Yes, zoos are culpable as well.

A great documentary.