not to take away from the wonderful work that he did with/for elephants, nor to cast aspersions on the amazing intelligence of elephants, but I'm very skeptical about the authenticity of this story.

If you compare the version which was originally sent to Snopes.com (urban legends investigation web site) in April 2012, you will see several "tweaks" (embellishments) to the story as it was sent to us.

But, then again, if the "story" saves a few elephants, our world will be richer for it!