Pom in Oz with Derek Goforth: Elephant Tricia’s passing shows us we’re all compassionate creatures at heart

Back in 2016, we lost a lot of iconic celebrities. David Bowie, Prince, Muhammad Ali and George Michael, to name a few. All were idols, who felt like a part of our lives, so it wasn’t surprising that we felt sad when they were unexpectedly taken away. While most of us carry on with our lives after hearing of such awful news, others can have a much stronger reaction, causing some to cry and weep as though they had lost a dear friend or a loved one. So why do we mourn celebrities? Why are we upset over their deaths when we haven’t met them, and we don’t know them personally? Of course, this week Perth and WA lost one of its biggest (in many senses) celebrity of them all — Perth Zoo’s star resident, Tricia the Asian elephant. Tricia passed away after a bout of illness earlier last week at the ripe old age of 65. The reaction to her death has been quite extraordinary. Every news story, every account, and every social media post speaking with great emotion about how Tricia will be missed across the State. So again, I ponder, why we mourn celebrities, both animal and human? Well, I think there are a few legitimate reasons. Firstly, I believe it reminds us of our own mortality. Particularly superstars like Bowie and Prince, who seem immortal. When we lose an idol it shocks us into the realisation that we too are mortal and could shuffle off at any given moment. Secondly it bonds us as a community. It was heart-warming to see all the Facebook comments about Tricia, with people sharing memories of visiting the zoo and interacting with her. Just as it was uplifting to see people agreeing on how a pop star’s music or comic’s jokes and stories had resonated for them in hard times. Lastly (although I’m sure there are many other reasons) it reminds us we are all compassionate creatures at heart. I do believe in the intrinsic good in all people, that we ultimately have each other’s best interest at heart. We do like seeing other people saying kind words. To be honest, it’s a welcome break from some of the less than positive stories around at the moment. I didn’t meet Tricia, I am not mourning myself but I “get” why others might be. Speaking from experience, I was devastated when UK comic Sean Lock recently passed away. I spent several days watching and re-watching his stand-up shows and endless 8 out of 10 cats episodes. So I do get it. For many valid reason we can mourn people (and elephants), even if we don’t that them that well or at all. Derek Goforth is a teacher at Geraldton Christian College