Over hundreds of years there have been legends of mysterious places where elephants travel when it is time for them to die. Some folklore even says that this magical spot calls to dying elephants as they search for a final resting place. For years, explorers searched for such a location, hoping to find grounds scattered with valuable ivory, but no one has ever actually found the supernatural site. So is there such a thing as an elephant graveyard? The answer is: maybe…
Elephants often follow the same migration routes over the course of many generations and know the surrounding lands well. Entire herds who haven’t eaten for a while may go to an area with a known source of food and water. Those who are injured or tired may seek out a location where they can rest and easily access necessities. Places like this are likely not chosen as a location to die; rather, they are more likely picked because they offer the best chance for survival. Unfortunately, in some cases, this attempt to survive isn’t enough to serve an entire herd, resulting in a few bodies congregating near one another.
For senior elephants, over time, factors like diet, injury, or simply old age could result in a natural death. This may be particularly true for older elephants who have worn down all of their teeth. Because this spot is known well by many elephants as a place that is well suited for rest and recuperation, one may eventually see a concentration of bones in and around this specific area. However, the fact that these groupings occur organically, rather than supernaturally, doesn’t make them anymore powerful or, for some, spiritual.
We have noted before that elephants could possibly get a sense that they will pass away soon – but this is based on observations and not proven fact. Even if an elephant were to somehow begin preparing friends or herd mates for their eventual passing, there is no sign that the individual might be drawn to one particular final resting place.
Though elephants may not return to a mythical spot to mourn their dead, the reality of their emotional experiences surrounding another animal’s passing is no less special. Studies have shown that there is no evidence to support the existence of an “elephant graveyard,” but the idea of its existence persists – and perhaps for good reason. Elephants are known to show deep levels of mourning after a loved one dies. Individuals may stop to spend time at a loved one’s final resting place on many occasions over the years. Some may come upon remains of other elephants – whether they were part of their herd or not – and stop to interact with the bones of the deceased, sometimes even pausing for a few moments, perhaps as a way to honor them. While there may be no literal magic surrounding an elephant’s death, the animals’ capacity for profound love remains.
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Debbie Sides says
July 24, 2021 at 3:35 pmElephants are fascinating. Everything they do from the way they communicate to being a vital part of the eco system and their love for family. So intelligent and caring.
Beji says
July 24, 2021 at 3:38 pmAstonishing…just when you think you can’t be in more awe of these magnificent beings…sorry, had to brush a tear away…
Barb says
July 24, 2021 at 5:25 pmBeautifully presented and very educational!
John says
July 24, 2021 at 7:20 pmI’m happy it’s been many years since I saw an elephant in a zoo. I don’t have much of a memory seeing them in that environment. Thank you GSE for what you do. So much respect and appreciation.
SHEILA says
July 24, 2021 at 10:44 pmDOUBT THERE ARE GRAVEYARDS OF DECEASED 🐘🐘🐘ELEPHANTS BUT I DO THINK ITS POSSIBLE AN ELDERLY ELEPHANT 🐘MATRIARCH THATS ILL OR VERY AGED MAY FIND A FAMILIAR RESTING PLACE TO TO PASS AWAY WHEN ITS HER TIME‼️I WATCHED A PROGRAM RECENTLY ON WILD BOTSWANA WHERE A LOVELY OLD MATRIARCH LAID DOWN AND PASSED AWAY FROM OLD AGE! THE REMAINDER OF HER HERD 🐘🐘🐘TOOK THEIR TIME AND MOURNED HER BY TOUCHING HER AAND SMELLING HER ALL OVER SO GENTLY AND ABSORBING HER SMELL AND IT APPEARED THEY WERE SOAKING ALL OF HER IN THEIR MEMORIES , ONE BY ONE‼️ ALL THE ELEPHANTS STOOD IN LINE WITH THEIR HEADS BOWED FOR ALONG PERIODS OF TIME EACH TAKING THEIR TIME TOUCHING! SMELLING AND REMEMBERING THEIR MATRIARCH WITH LOVE AND GRIEF!
LIONS🦁🦁 WANTED TO EAT 🐘MATRIARCH BUT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN! THIS LITTLE HERD STAYED WITH THEIR MATRIARCH FOR MANY DAYS! THEN WHEN MOURNING WAS DONE THEY MOVED ON!
IT WAS SO TOUCHING AND SAD! BUT INTERESTING TO SEE
A MOURNING HERD👍
Katie Howard says
July 26, 2021 at 6:37 pmElephants are simply, and remarkably, empathetic and intelligent. We mere mortals might ascribe their actions as magical but I believe it’s because we have become so removed from nature that we don’t understand it any longer, whereas elephants live in the now and are intrinsically a part of their habitat.
…Thank heavens for elephants! ❤️🐘❤️
Charlotte Hansen says
July 26, 2021 at 11:11 pmBeautifully written!
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Elephant Myths: True or False – Are Elephant Graveyards Real?