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Contributor Tamsyn du Toit sent this amusingly charming video to Latest Sightings. She witnessed this young elephant’s performance while visiting South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Here I am!
As Tamsyn’s video rolls, we see a baby elephant come running into view. A few other elephants are browsing nearby.
Feeling safe and secure in their presence, it is obvious that the youngster has decided it’s time to burn off some of that excess energy. And, as it turns out, do a bit of showing off in the process.
King Of The (Dung) Hill
As he trots along, it becomes apparent that he has seen something worthy of his attention. If only to prove that he’s a very strong little elephant who won’t be messed with.
Like a giant grey-brown bowling ball (with some extra wobbly bits), he absolutely obliterates a… wait for it… pile of dung. Wow!
Consequently, in the aftermath of his onslaught, large balls of elephant dung scatter like pins in a bowling alley.
Who’s Next?
Having made his grand and rather emphatic entrance, the little big fella raises his head to see if anything else is worthy of his ferocious ire.
Raising his head, flaring his ears, and holding his tail horizontally, the calf perfectly mimics the body language of an agitated adult elephant.
After scanning his surroundings, the calf appears to decide that Tamsyn’s vehicle needs to be dealt with. Initially, the little guy charges forth boldly.
More Pose Than Punch
However, as he gets closer, a look of self-doubt creeps from his face to his overall body language. Not wanting to lose face (or trunk), he pulls up short.
This time, his ‘threatening’ body posture is even more impressive. Then again, those shaky hind legs tell a different story.
Fear not, brave Ellie. With a little work, you’ll soon have us quaking in our boots!
Tactical Withdrawal
Either way, the cavalier calf held his ground for some time, giving Tamsyn and her vehicle the side-eye. Soon enough, he decided he’d made his point and made a ‘tactical retreat’.
We are sure it’s purely coincidental that his chosen path led him straight back to the adults.
But, in the above image, it does look a bit like he’s trying to stifle a great big laugh…
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(New) Born Leader
Having ensured that the path ahead was safe, clear of both obstacles and dangers, he was ready to lead from the front.
Showing all the confidence of a born leader, he walked ahead of his mum…
Following in his (much smaller) footsteps, his mum’s expression can best be described as lovingly bemused.
Learning To Elephant
While we can only guess what was really going on in this little elephant’s mind as he ran to and fro, it does look like he was enjoying himself.
Like all youngsters, his abundance of energy fuels his play. And his play will be where he learns most of what he needs to thrive as an elephant.” for slightly stronger phrasing.
He’ll learn his place in his environment, both physically and socially. He’ll learn how to assert himself and when to back down.
These skills will equip him for a long life ahead, up to 70 years. We hope he has as much fun learning to elephant as we had watching him do so.