It is common knowledge that elephants have a prodigious memory, and this of course also applies when it comes to showing their loyalty to those they love the most.

Endowed with a deep emotional intelligence that is difficult for the human mind to comprehend, these majestic animals, if they teach us any lesson, in addition to their particular gentleness, it is their incredible empathy with humans who have shown them that they are important to them.

In fact, studies show that the range of emotions that these animals can go through range from pain and joy, to suffering and compassion.

And a palpable fact that demonstrates this zoorpendent ability to empathize with a human is what happened to the 17-year-old elephant Thongsri, who lives in a sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Thongsri clearly harbors a sincere affection and loyalty for her caretaker, which has been highlighted in a touching video that has gone viral.

What happened is that her caregiver tried to test her and pretended to fight with a companion, when suddenly Thongsri came running up to her at full speed, determined to prevent anything bad from happening to him. She was already there to protect him!

Poor Thongsri looked seriously worried as she knelt down to check that all was well, wrapping her huge body around the keeper as if he were her own son.

The video was quickly commented on by thousands of internanuts, who were deeply moved by Thongsri’s concern for her human companion.

Many admired her way of getting down on her knees to protect him, but others expressed their indignation, as they were playing with the poor elephant’s feelings.

Others took the opportunity to react and show their sadness at how these majestic animals have been treated over the years, underestimating their wonderful capacity.

Studies have revealed that elephant empathy can operate on several levels, from the simplest level of “contagion” to the pain of others, to a more sophisticated level of “sympathetic concern”, even going as far as being able to help people in need when required.

They would do the same with their own calves, as with humans.

Without a doubt, all species have wonderful qualities, but elephants truly surprise us every time with their behavior, their way of feeling, and their compassion. A real lesson for humans!

Be sure to share this touching scene, it will bring a smile to your friends’ faces!