From the archives: This story was last updated in July 2019.
Two crippled former circus elephants named Shirley and Jenny had not set eyes on each other in two decades. When the two Asian elephants finally came trunk to trunk again after all that time, the bonding was immediate. Their reunion was beyond touching, nothing short of phenomenal. And the emotional encounter was captured on film.The reunion happened on the evening of July 6, 1999, at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. It had been more than two decades since Shirley and Jenny first met at a circus one winter in 1973. At the time, Jenny, an elephant born wild in Sumatra in 1972, was still an infant. Shirley took on the role of surrogate mother to her in the strange new land.
They say, “An elephant never forgets.” It’s so true in this case. When Shirley and Jenny finally reunited after 22 years of separation, the old buddies were so determined to embrace that they even bent the steel bars keeping them apart.
After the keepers opened the steel gates, Shirley remained by Jenny’s side. The pair was seen touching each other with their trunks. With their trunks locked together, bellows of excitement could be heard.
All news reporters, cameramen, and others who were lucky enough to witness this precious moment were touched, with many reduced to tears—especially the keeper who had cared for Shirley all those years.
Shirley, who arrived at the sanctuary years later in 1999, was perhaps the closest thing to family that Jenny would ever know. With Shirley by her side, Jenny was able to find some comfort.
The old friends often spent time together with their trunks wrapped around each other, playing, and no doubt reminiscing, after 22 years of separation.
“So amazingly touching - the story of Shirley and Jenny, two crippled elephants reunited at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee after a 22-year separation. The bonding was immediate, intense and unforgettable between the two former circus elephants,” EVOLVE Campaigns wrote.
“It is very rare for elephants to display this kind of emotion in captivity, and it’s probably the first time such a thing has been documented on film.”
The reunion scene between Shirley and Jenny has since garnered more than 23 million views, touching social media users across the globe.
“6:54: one of the most beautiful and touching things I’ve ever seen,” one user commented. Another said: “I’m a 6ft 6 tall, 250lb guy and I’m crying like a baby over this.”
“This is such a beautiful and moving story. I too am weeping. Such a wonderful friendship and what a reunion,” another remarked.
The two elephants lived out their days together until Jenny became ill. Sadly, Jenny passed away on Oct. 17, 2006. Carol Buckley, the executive director at the sanctuary, described how Jenny’s last moments were.
“If you looked at Shirley’s face, you could see that she knew that Jenny was dying. Jenny dropped to the ground and Shirley walked into the woods,” Buckley added.
Shirley stayed in the woods till Jenny passed away. She mourned for days after Jenny’s death, refusing all food. “It was very hard and especially hard on Shirley. Shirley’s whole life was about taking care of baby Jenny. It was like a mom losing her baby,” said Buckley.
Thankfully, Shirley lives a long life. She is still staying at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, and on July 6, 2019, she celebrated her 71st birthday!
Like humans, elephants are capable of a range of emotions, complex thought, and deep feeling. The love and friendship between Jenny and Shirley is a testament to that. The beautiful bond between these two elephants reminds us how precious life is and that we should respect and care for our fellow beings on this planet, for they too have feelings.
