Although they are incredibly powerful, elephants are generally peaceful creatures. However, as this video shows, there are times when they become aggressive for no immediately obvious reason.
Watch the video here:
Matthew Fleischack sent this dramatic video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it in South Africa’s Timbavati Nature Reserve.
Peaceful poolside drinks
We are met with a peaceful, if unusual, scene at the start of the video. An elephant bull is enjoying a refreshing drink from a lodge swimming pool.
Meanwhile, in the background, another bull approaches. Surely, you’d think, there’s enough water for them both to enjoy. It looks like Matthew’s in for quite a treat!
Calm before the storm
The new arrival seems to be in quite a rush, presumably eager to slake his thirst with cool, clean water. However, at this stage, we’ve got no clue of the drama about to unfold.
Male elephants generally get along quite well with one another, so at this point we have no reason to doubt that will be the case here. After all, there’s room and water for two.
Critical clue
It is only as the second bull gets closer that we get an inkling that all is not as it seems. On the side of its head, just behind the eye, we notice a streaming secretion.
These secretions are typically seen when elephants are stressed. However, in male elephants, they may signal something altogether more troublesome.
At various times, male elephants enter a phase known as musth. During this phase, their testosterone levels skyrocket, making them unusually aggressive towards anything that gets in their way. Such as an innocent comrade enjoying a quiet drink.
Surprise attack
While we can’t be entirely certain that the new arrival is in musth, what he does next seems to confirm our suspicions. Barely breaking his stride, the second bull lowers his head before thrusting his tusks into the rump of his unsuspecting victim.
In fact, he does so with such force that he lifts the other elephant’s hind legs from the ground. Consequently, the under-siege bull all but faceplants into the pool’s wall.
This is an incredible show of strength considering that male elephants weigh between 4 and 6 tons! The obviously surprised bull lets out an anguished squeal as its head bashes into the wall.
For good measure
Subsequently, it manages to regain its footing. But the unwarranted assault is not over yet.
Instead, the bullying bull rudely shoves the other out of the way, making it quite clear he wants the pool and all its water to himself.
It’s all yours
As for the other bull, still reeling in shock at his mate’s behaviour, he quickly leaves the scene.
He may well have noticed the distinctive sour odour of a bull in musth and knows better than to argue.
Nothing to see here
Just as suddenly as the drama unravelled, peace returned to the setting. Acting as if he’s done nothing wrong, the victor draws water into his trunk.
Then, after gulping down a few 18-litre trunkfuls, he slurps up more water to spray over his body.
Seems like a good idea. This is one instance where a cold shower is definitely a good plan.