The exceptionally long 22-month pregnancy of elephants forges a powerful mother-calf bond, Perhilitan DG Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim highlighted. This deep connection, evident in a recent tragic incident where a mother grieved her deceased calf, extends beyond physical care. Calves learn crucial survival skills and emotional understanding, like empathy and grief, from their mothers during years of nursing. The loss of either mother or calf inflicts significant trauma on elephant families, often leading to depression and difficulty adapting, especially in cases of poaching.
