Elephant Man

Thursday, February 21, 2019

I enjoy writing about animals, they’re interesting, fun, and teach us about ourselves. My assortment consists of equines, goats, chickens, dogs, a cat, and two birds. Some are outside only, others go in and out, and the birds inside-only unless on my shoulder or safely caged. Those from my past are as important as these in my now. There’s much that our beloved animals offer, what they mean to people. Thinking about this reminds me of a video from years ago, a short piece, about a retired elephant, the old man who had trained her, and after fifteen years of separation, their reunion.

Years ago, when I lived in Los Angeles, our local PBS station often aired general interest videos by Huell Howser, a creative, semi-professional writer/videographer. That station periodically re-aired some of his pieces, and a couple were unforgettable (they’re also Howser’s favorites). To me, his most powerful video (and Howser’s personal top-pick) was entitled, “An Elephant Never Forgets”.

Recently, I began writing my daily blogs online and using photographs to suggest topics and guide my writing. This has managed to transform my “blog thinking” into a much more visual process. Most of my personal photos reflect living and interacting with animals. Thinking about this has intensified an old wish to revisit Howser’s “elephant story”, until finally, I went searching and found it on YouTube.

Huell shot his video in 1988 when the elephant, Nita, was 38 years old and her trainer Charley Franks was 80. Both had been retired for years. Charley had purchased Nita when she was five, trained her, and together they traveled the world as entertainers. When Charley retired, to ensure Nita’s lifelong safety, he donated her to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. He’d not seen her for fifteen years, this would be their one reunion. Charley died a year later in 1989. The Park continued to care for Nita until her death, at age 60, in 2009.

Howser later said publicly, that among his hundreds of human interest videos, this reunion was an absolute standout, and he’d been honored to witness it. Although years ago I saw his video several times, today while viewing it again, I’m touched deeply by this unforgettable capture of a powerful relationship. Here’s the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxX3E5asZA4

Dear Readers: Have a wonderful day. Diana