A recent viral video showcases how intelligent, gentle, and incredible wildlife are. The short clip took 23 seconds to run, shared on X (previously Twitter) by the account @AmazingNature. This is an elephant calmly signaling to the man to step aside from her path. And as he does, recognizing the little nudge of the elephant, his movement makes this interaction almost appear playful. The video caption reads, “Elephant gently reminding the human that he is in the way.” And it has collected huge applause for the gentle nature and composed nature of the elephant.
Elephant gently reminding the human that he is in the way. pic.twitter.com/Ft6P7ICUf8
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) December 14, 2024
Many viewers complimented the elephant’s behavior and commented on how animals are sometimes really kind. One user commented, “This is incredible—such intelligence and grace in one moment.” Another noted, “We humans have so much to learn from animals like this.“A third user added, “This is the reason why elephants are my favorite animals. Their kindness has no match.”
Others were captivated by the mutual respect both the man and the elephant showed to each other when one said, “Both the man and the elephant managed this so well.”
Back in Sri Lanka, a 40-year-old elephant known as Raja has gained fame for its peculiar habit of “collecting tolls” from passing automobiles. Raja stands beside the Buttala-Kataragama road and patiently waits for food handouts. He stops moving vehicles by flailing his long trunk at them. Drivers have gotten accustomed to giving fruits or treats before moving on their way. Sometimes, Raja negotiates, but every time, he collects his “tax.” Once satisfied, he moves out of the way of the proceeding vehicles. Locals affectionately called him the most punctual and reliable tax collector. His playful antics made him a sweetheart of the region.
