Elephant Experience in Hartbeespoort, South Africa.
One of the most profound animal-human encounters is possible in Harties, an experience that will delight visitors - local and international alike. World Wildlife fund members, Adam’s and McShane wrote “No other species carries as much symbolic or emotional force. Fascination with elephants is hardly a new phenomenon – man has by turns worshipped, idealised, contemplated, or slaughtered elephants, but rarely ignored them.’ In the 1800’s the region around the Magaliesberg including the Hartbeespoort area teemed with these animals, the largest land mammals in Africa. By the early 1900’s elephants were decimated.
Hopefully a new understanding of the cognitive empathy of these animals, and many others, will help to protect them. Animal sanctuaries like the one at Hartbeespoort play an important role in educating the public about the huge ecological importance of these magnificent creatures. Interactive time- feeding the elephants, holding ‘hands’ with their trunks, walking with them- while their handlers interpret their behaviour and share their deep knowledge, will probably be one of the most special experiences you and your family will ever have.