The Elephant Whisperers

Living in a remote part of Tamil Nadu, Bomman has no commute or urban rate race to worry about. He gets up early in the morning, dresses and goes for a walk, joined by his son, following which the two of them bathe in the river under the warm sun. Then it’s back to the house for breakfast. Many a day begins like this for people all over the world, but the difference here is that Bomman’s adopted boy is an elephant.

Raghu was almost dead when they found him, in the middle of a drought. He was too weak to stand and his tail had been chewed off by dogs. Such elephants had always been considered beyond saving, but Bomman – with the aid of co-worker Bellie, who would become his romantic partner – was determined to try. This documentary explores their unprecedented achievement in nursing the ailing calf back to health , and how it changed them both – as well as their later experience with another lost calf, five month old baby Ammu.

Theppakadu Elephant Camp is one of several around the world doing this kind of work – you can follow others on YouTube – but it is the only one in that region. Whilst its funding reflects changing attitudes to animals which used to be treated as beasts of burden or else driven away from human settlements in most parts of the country. Locally it draws upon an older tradition. Bomman’s father and grandfather cared for elephants before him. Bellie explains that because she is Kattunayakan, she walks barefoot upon the Earth to show respect; hers is a tradition of respect for all living things. The two take Raghu and Ammu to receive blessings from Ganesha, the elephant god of new beginnings, along with a group of other young elephants. They are decorated with coloured chalk and given garlands of flowers, though Raghu keeps snacking on his when he thinks no-one is looking.

Through the story of these two young elephants, we learn about the indigenous people of the area, through observation as much as explanation, and we also learn about Bomman and Bellie themselves. The latter has had to cope with some horrific personal losses, and it’s clear that the elephants help to fill the gap. Raghu holds onto her clothes as they walk along, and she reveals how he wipes away her tears with his trunk. The area is full of vervet monkeys – it’s rare that there are none in shot – and from time to time we see a mother with her child, quietly watching.

Although the film is only 41 minutes long, four years of observations are condensed into that. There are many moments of simple joy. Raghu likes to play with his football. His older friend, Krishna, teaches him how to pluck grass. At night, he and his adopted sister slide their trunks into the house, hoping for a little more attention or a snack. They won’t stay with the couple forever. A faceless agency, which also has their wellbeing in mind, seems oblivious to the importance of personal bonds. Nevertheless, this Oscar-nominated short is a natural crowd pleaser, and for those not familiar with elephants, it’s a great way to begin learning about what they’re capable of.