Watch: Elephant Rushes To Shield Caretaker From The Rain
When our gentle giants become our protectors.
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Imagine walking in a sudden downpour, drenched and squinting against the sheets of rain, and then feeling a warm, gentle giant sheltering you with her body
That's exactly what happened when Fah Mai, a soon‑to‑be matriarch elephant at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, stepped in to protect her beloved caretaker, Saengduean "Mae Lek" Chailert, from the rain.
A recent video capturing this moment has gone viral, showing Fah Mai quickly moving in and pulling Mae Lek under her belly, shielding her from the downpour
Other elephants at the sanctuary soon joined in, forming a makeshift canopy of compassion — exactly as Mae Lek described: "A good matriarch must protect the members of her herd. Fah Mai sees me as one of her herd."
That tender gesture wasn't just a sweet moment for the Internet — it perfectly captures how elephants naturally care for those they love.
Elephants are among the most emotionally intelligent animals
Scientific studies show that Asian elephants comfort distressed herd mates by gently caressing them with their trunks, offering reassurance through touch.
Just recently, another elephant made headlines for rescuing a gazelle from drowning at a zoo in Guatemala — another reminder of their incredible empathy.
And it's not just their young they protect. Elephants often extend this kindness to humans they trust deeply.
At Elephant Nature Park, caretakers have observed elephants forming protective circles around distressed companions — a behaviour seen even among adults.
In the same way, Fah Mai offered shelter to Mae Lek, instinctively knowing how to behave as a leader.
Watch the full video here:
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