Florida Woman Moves a Fallen Tree off Her Driveway With Her Elephant [WATCH]
Lauryn Murray is a federally licensed animal exhibitor and content creator. The Floridian recently shared a video of her blocked driveway. In late May, a storm blew over a big tree, which fell across her property’s dirt road entry. She didn’t hesitate to clear the path. After all, she had what she claimed was a very fitting tool for the job: a large elephant.
Essex is a 49-year-old Asian elephant and Murray’s lifelong companion. The performer grew up with the elephant and continues to care for the pachyderm today. Her social accounts share clips of Essex eating, bathing, and completing stimulating tasks around the property. Murray says that since elephants are highly intelligent, Essex likes to be challenged with rewarding projects. Like large fallen trees, for example.
Typically, when someone faces a tree blocking the road, they have a few options. Normally, you’d call the city or a professional tree service. Otherwise, DIYers resort to either dragging brush away with a vehicle or other heavy equipment or cutting up the tree into manageable logs.
Murray didn’t need to do any of that. She simply brought Essex out to the tree and let her know the plan. Essex got right to work, curling her trunk around the tree and hefting it up and away from the driveway.
The exhibitor captioned her clip, “It’s hard to explain to people that have no animal experience, that highly intelligent animals love having a job, a purpose and to be useful! She loves to use her strength and be a part of the action! I try to give her “jobs” on a regular basis, this helps keep her active as well as mentally stimulated, and this is why she is so healthy, fit and strong!”
The video has 2.9 million views. Some commenters express their negative opinions on circus culture and associated animal health and well-being, which Murray addresses regularly on her social account. In Florida, elephants are classified as Class I wildlife and require a permit to keep. Moreover, they can’t be personal pets. As such, Murray operates an exotic animal attraction, Elephant Oasis, from the Gainsville property.
