An orphaned elephant & his caretaker

Orphan elelphant and caretaker ((Photo by Michael Nichols:National Geographic) June 20 2016

Reposting this from May 2012 just because the relationship between the orphaned elephant & his caretaker is so tender & endearing:
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Elephants are deeply emotional & loving animals & form intense bonds of love with their rescuers & caretakers. According to the caretakers, the love goes both ways. As one caretaker said, “It’s not for the wages. The more you’re with them, the more you satisfy yourself. You just love them.” That bond is more than evident here between caretaker & orphan at the Sheldrick orphanage in Kenya.

(Photo by Michael Nichols/National Geographic)