Beyond Anthropocentrism

Analyzing Charles Siebert's observations based on this passage, he explains how the Sheldrick Trust and the sanctuary have found ways to improve the close knit elephant society as well as the elephant-human relationship. The trust rehabiliated 60 of these elephants and reunited them with their allomothers, which brings about a closer relationship between elephants. The rehabiltation of elephants by the trust has also significantly impacted the human-elephant relationship in a positive way. Since we were able to exhibit empathy and affection and think beyond an anthropocentic frame of reference, we can now, as Bradshaw exclaims, "participate actively in the healing of both themselves and nonhuman animals". We were able to think in thier point of view and interact with them as if they were human by preserving our self-image and adopting a "trans-species psyche". The relationship between humans and elephants is gradually increasing due to the shift in our mindset and views. The concept of extended family plays a siginificant role in elephant culture which allows us to question our motives and views of our culture as well. We can learn the different aspects of the culture from each other and use this knowledge to cultivate a positive relationship, only if we apply a different mindset and go beyond an anthropocentric approach.