This must be how those Michael Jackson fanatics felt..

So, I learned one week ago today, that my idol of the animal world passed away in May of 2009.

Her name was Echo.
And she was the reason I wanted to get into studying and observing animals. Specifically elephants.

Now, I know that my major has nothing to do with elephants, but I someday want to go out in the field and just watch learn, whatever I can.

Echo was 65 years old and led and guided her herd for many years. Who could ever forget when she rescued Ebony from a rival herd?



Just thinking about her death saddens me in a way I can't really understand. I never knew her personally, was never involved with her documentaries in any way, but I feel a connection to the animal that showed me my path. I don't know how many times I've watched my BBC DVD collection of her, or the American Nature episodes.

Tonight's episode now follows the herd as they deal with her death, and I know that it will be hard to watch. But it is the next chapter of her story, and like any good observer, you must deal with the happy and the sad.

ps, I put this episode on my wishlist for Amazon, I want to complete the collection as it were. lol