Elephants Were Once Used As Executioners

[SeaBreeze]

There was a time when elephants were used as bone crushing executioners. http://io9.com/elephants-were-once-used-as-executioners-1685751446

 

[Laurie]

I thought this was well known.

Tippoo Sultan was reputed to have regularly used this method, sometimes as entertainment for visiting dignitaries.

 

[chic]

Oh, and I've always loved the gentle old pachyderm.

 

[Debby]

Oh, and I've always loved the gentle old pachyderm.

Elephants have been used and abused forever. Hopefully this won't change your opinion of them.

I once watched a documentary that was about a particular area of Africa where researchers believe the growing violence and aggression that is being displayed by the elephants of that area is the direct effect of poaching. Since the elephants in question are around 40 years old, they would have been calves who likely saw their families being slaughtered and now with their great memories and continued human predations, have become very dangerous, frequently attacking humans where once upon a time, those family groups tended to avoid contact. It is surmised that they remember what happened in that moment when their families were wiped out.

From the link: '....The elephants of decimated herds, especially orphans who’ve watched the death of their parents and elders from poaching and culling, exhibit behavior typically associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related disorders in humans...' (fascinating article)

There are even a tribe of people who historically have been thought of as 'elephant whisperers' in that they could approach wild elephants without fear but they've given up that traditional behaviour as they now feel likewise that the elephants are filled with too much hate and anger. Terribly sad really.



http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08elephant.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0