Bengaluru: We would have heard myriad stories about man-animal conflict. 

Men poisoning or shooting animals as they stray into human habitat is nothing new. 

In fact, a few months ago, a gravid pachyderm died standing in still waters as it was fed with an explosive-laden eatable. 

However, at the same time, at the other end of the continuum, there are heartening stories of how man-animals can co-exist in concord. 

In a heartening development, a man from Patna has willed his properties to two elephants, whom he considers closer to him than his own family members. 

Akhtar Imam has transferred land worth Rs 5 crores in the name of the elephants. 

He says, as reported by Times of India, “After my death, his NGO ‘Asian Elephant Rehabilitation and Wildlife Animal Trust (AERWAT)’ would take care of his elephants and if anything happened to my elephants then the property share would be taken over by the state government.” 

The two elephants are 12-year-old Rani (15) and Moti (20). 

But pray tell us, whey did he will these fortunes to the two pachyderms? 

Well, there is an interesting story. He claims that one of the two elephants had saved him from a gang of criminals. 

“A few years ago, I went to Ara for some work with Moti. Around midnight, when I was fast asleep I heard my elephant’s trumpet. I peeped out of window to see what’s wrong. I saw that Moti broke himself free from the iron chain and chased away criminals carrying pistols,” he adds. 

He certainly can’t hide his love for the pachyderms. 

“Moti and Rani are my true family. I love to take care of them. Due to constant fear of my life, I transferred the property to them, so that they can live a good life even after I’m gone,” he confesses.