This past week at WildEarth has been very eventful for me watching from final control. Besides the obvious urge of wanting to be out there in the bush myself (as that’s what we wildlife filmmakers most want). Something struck me inside and reminded me of an African proverb my great grandfather once taught me when I was still a little boy, he said: ‘Until lions tell their own tale, the stories of the hunt will always glorify the hunter’. What would Wonkie’s thoughts be on his relationship with Pieter. WE won’t be hearing directly from Wonkie.
Well if you ask me, Pieter has a soft spot for elephants, and especially Wonkie. They say the eyes are the window to one’s soul. Take a good look at Pieter’s eyes when he talks about Wonkie, his love for this beautiful animal is powerful. Having done that take a closer look at Wonkie’s eyes when Pieter is photographing him … he (Wonkie) is so calm and sometimes seems to be enjoying it … ‘talking’ back. He is now very comfortable in the presence of the Jiga (WildEarth vehicle). I am sure many of you would agree. It is this close relationship between the audience and WildEarth that reminds us why we do what we do, and why its in our nature.
Words by Motheo Seleke
(Please let us hear from you about your perceptions of Pieter’s interactions with Wonkie. Post a comment to this Blog.)
Eyes are the window to the soul.
About the Author: Peter
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I think Pieter is sharing his love for elephants in a way that gives people a new way of looking at elephants and showing them how important these animals are to our world every where. And I hope people respect and honor elephants always.
Thank you so much for bringing us so close to the love of nature!
A few of us on the forum joke and call Pieter “The Elephant Whisperer” but in all seriousness Pieter does have a way with ellies. Wonky in particular. The interaction between these two “friends” has been such an experience to watch.
Just as Pieter can look into Wonky’s eye and see his calmness and demeanor, I am sure Wonky does just that to Pieter as well. I think that both of them just sense a calm and wellbeing in eachother and it is truly beautiful to watch.
I think of Pieter and Wonky as the posterboy’s for what WE is all about. It definately is in their nature.
I swear, one of these days Wonky is coming right up to Pieter to touch him!!!
There is no question how Pieter feels about elephants in general and especially Wonky. I like to think that Wonky senses Pieter’s love and respect and is willing to show himself as a total act of trust. I wonder if Wonky tries to understand us as much as we do him. The answer, I think is yes. When I watch, I see a mutual respect and perhaps (because I want it so) an exchange of energy that is both electrifying and subtle at the same time. I’m quite sure that the gentle giant and the man understand each other quite well.
Wonky and Pieter are old friends from way back. Pieter talks to him the way you might if you ran into an longtime friend you see everyday. A casual but endearing fondness. Wonky leads a lonely life for an elephant and maybe his thoughts are “here are my old friends”. I think the WE team give Wonky the fellowhip and friendship an ellie is born to need in their life.
To me Wonky represents a sense of calm stability in a place where wild can can change and chaos in a split second. I personally love that he has persevered all these years with such an extreme handicap, something about that adds a certain magic to his charm.
Djuma is his home and he welcomes the WE team into it – how can you not speak fondly to such a kind gesture from such an old soul?
Wonky and Pieter are old friends from way back. Pieter talks to him the way you might if you ran into an longtime friend you see everyday. A casual but endearing fondness. Wonky leads a lonely life for an elephant and maybe his thoughts are “here are my old friends”. I think the WE team give Wonky the fellowhip and friendship an ellie is born to need in their life.
To me Wonky represents a sense of calm stability in a place where wild can can change and chaos in a split second. I personally love that he has persevered all these years with such an extreme handicap, something about that adds a certain magic to his charm.
Djuma is his home and he welcomes the WE team into it – how can you not speak fondly to such a kind gesture from such an old soul?
I honestly believe humans can have a special bond with animals, especially elephants. It is awesome to see the bond between Wonkie and Peter. I do believe they have become very good friends. It is awesome to watch and I so appreciate being able to do so.
Sandi/AZ
Well matheo, you certainly got that right, i personally think there is more of connection between pieter and wonkie, than any other of the ellies that he/we encounter, and you are, the eyes are indeed the windows to the soul, you can see everything in them, especially in wonkies.
Thank you for everything
Emma from uk
xxxxxxx