Being born into the world can be a traumatic experience for many animals, but it’s also when they’re at their most vulnerable. In the animal kingdom there is often a much shorter period of vulnerability because the risks require quick development.
For elephants, these first few moments, and years, are by far the most dangerous for them. Once they’ve grown to their full size and strength there are few predators that would risk hunting them, but they have to make it there first.
Calden Smith caught the very first moments of this elephant calf on camera as its mother gave it a helping hand to take its very first ever drink.
A Brand New Baby
Barely able to stand, this calf had been born next to the water that would nourish it during its first moments, but it lacked the strength to stand and move closer towards it.
Elephant calves can stand and walk well enough to keep up with the herd within a few days of being born, and they are capable of standing in less than an hour after they enter the world.
The fact that this little one was struggling to do so meant that it must have been very new indeed, and this first drink may well have been the first thing it ever did with its life.
Part Of The Herd, Part Of The Family
Raising an elephant calf is a collaborative duty with the young baby’s aunts all coming together to help and support the mother. These strong ties throughout the herd mean that young calves are always under the watchful eyes of an adult.
Once they mature, male elephants will strike out on their own to find new opportunities, while the females stay with their herd for the rest of their lives.
This makes elephant herds more like extended families, and the close bonds between them help to keep them safe from various threats like predators, and it means they always look out for each other when they need it.
Everyone Needs A Helping Hand
This calf’s mother was standing over it, ready to give it assistance from the moment it was born, and she gently used her trunk to nudge it closer to the water.
It didn’t take its first steps on camera, but Calden may well have caught this calf standing for the very first time as it rose on shaky legs and drank from the shallow water.
The mother stayed right beside it the whole time, using her trunk and her own legs to give it something to steady itself against. It was extremely wobbly, but after only a few seconds it was able to stand unaided.
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The Circle Of Life
This kind of rapid development is seriously impressive to see, but anyone on safari who sees a baby animal like this should keep their distance. All mother mammals across the animal kingdom are extremely protective of their young.
Even a perceived threat could be enough to trigger an attack, so it’s always best to maintain a safe distance and watch from afar as these animals enjoy their first experiences in the wide, wide world.