This is the heartbreaking moment an elephant paid its final respects to its trainer with a salute of its trunk after walking 15 miles to see his body for the last time in India. Kunnakkad Damodaran Nair, known as Omanchetan, 74, died from cancer on Thursday after caring for the animals for six decades in Kottayam, Kerala. One of his elephants, Pallata Brahmadathan, walked two hours to join friends and relatives who had gathered outside Omanchetan's house for a ceremony. Footage shows the elephant reaching out its trunk towards Omanchetan's body before offering a salute. The elephant had been under the care of Omanchetan since 1996, last appearing together at a festival in April.

Source: Daily Mail June 08, 2021 11:55 UTC