As the world’s largest land mammals, elephants are also the most powerful creatures to walk the Earth. As such, their ability to change the environment is second only to that of humans.
Kimberlee Le Hanie shared this impressive footage with Latest Sightings. She filmed it while visiting South Africa’s Lions Sands Game Reserve.
Trunk on trunk
As we join Kimberlee at the sighting, we see an unusual sight. A male elephant stands with its trunk resting against the trunk of a tree.
Focusing for a moment on its trunk, did you know it has 17 main muscle groups? Together, these groups consist of between 40,000 and 150,000 muscle fascicles (bundles of fibres). Due to its complexity, it takes a young elephant up to two years to master its many uses.
Weight transfer
However, it is not so much its trunk that the elephant intends to use at this point. Instead, it is resting its chin against the bark.
Then he transfers his considerable weight forwards, and the tree creaks under the bull’s bulk. Even though we hear it crack, his first effort is not enough to fell it.
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If at first you don’t succeed…
After the tree springs back, the bull prepares to try again. This time, he repositions his head higher for more leverage.
Considering its head alone weighs between 300 and 400+ kilograms (660 to 880+ pounds) depending on tusk size, it helps to bring its total weight into play.
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Take two
Having already weakened the trunk in his initial shove, the bull is determined to finish the job this time around. He knows that the rewards of his efforts make persistence worthwhile.
Experience has taught him that the juiciest, most nutritious leaves are found at the top of the canopy. For bulk feeders like elephants, targeting the most nutritious parts of their menu is wise.
Timber!!!
This time around, the tree stands no chance, and we hear loud cracking as the 30-40 centimetre trunk snaps near the base. Considering that the tree is of the Vachellia family, this is no mean feat.
Formerly known as Acacia, the wood is exceptionally hard, dense, and durable.
Having done the hard work, the bull can now stand back while gravity completes the job. Top-heavy due to its canopy, the tree falls.
Seconds later, the tree is down. With that, the bull takes a moment to appreciate his handiwork.
But it isn’t long before he ambles over to the crown to enjoy a few tasty morsels before moving on.
While this may seem like wasteful feeding, felling the tree brings other benefits to the ecosystem. For instance, plants once hidden in the shade can flourish.
