Heartbreaking moment elephant tries to wake her inseparable partner of over 25 years after she dies

In a heartbreaking display of grief, an elephant named Magda tried to wake her lifelong companion, Jenny, after she collapsed and died at a safari park in Russian-occupied Crimea.

The two elephants had been inseparable for over 25 years, having performed together in a circus before retiring to the park in 2021. Despite a brief falling out during their circus days, the pair had lived peacefully together in retirement, often performing impromptu routines they had learned during their time in the circus.

Local news outlets reported that Magda spent several minutes attempting to lift Jenny back onto her feet after she collapsed. When her efforts failed, Magda began hugging Jenny’s body and holding her trunk, showing clear signs of distress. For hours, Magda stood guard over Jenny’s body, refusing to let veterinarians approach. The emotional scene highlighted the deep bond between the two elephants and the profound sense of loss Magda experienced.

Jenny and Magda’s circus career had ended abruptly four years earlier after a series of violent incidents. During a performance, Jenny had attacked Magda, trampling her on the floor, which circus officials attributed to jealousy or a bid for the trainer’s attention. A week later, the elephants turned on their trainer, Eduard Sheishenbekov, leaving him with serious injuries, including spinal fractures and a punctured lung. After these incidents, the circus decided to retire the elephants, fearing they could pose a danger to audiences.

Despite their tumultuous past, Jenny and Magda had lived harmoniously in retirement, always sticking together and enjoying their time at the safari park.

Magda’s grief over Jenny’s death underscores the emotional intelligence of elephants, which are known to mourn their dead in ways similar to humans. Studies have shown that elephants cry, bury their dead, and even return to the sites where herd members have died, demonstrating their capacity for deep emotional connections.

The heartbreaking moment serves as a reminder of the complex emotional lives of elephants and the ethical concerns surrounding their use in circuses. Animal rights campaigners have long argued that confining elephants for entertainment is cruel, as it deprives them of the freedom and social bonds they need to thrive. Magda’s grief over Jenny’s death is a poignant testament to the enduring bonds elephants form and the profound impact of loss on these intelligent creatures.