If you’re lucky enough to see elephants around water, you’re in for a real treat. These massive creatures seem to really enjoy bathing, especially the youngsters.
Michael Botes from MalaMala Game Reserve submitted this delightful footage to Latest Sightings. It was filmed in the Sand River, which runs through South Africa.
Watch the video here:
Down by the river
The video opens to a common bushveld scene. A breeding herd of elephants is seen quenching their thirst in the Sand River shallows.
Elephants are highly water-dependent, typically drinking twice daily when water is available. But, as you’ll soon see, they have other reasons for visiting the river.
Playtime
As the camera zooms in, we see two calves lying in the muddy water at the river’s edge. While the adults drink, the pair engage in some playful antics.
As they rub against one another, we can see that they are completely at ease in the water. In fact, one of the older elephants almost looks like it is watching them with a degree of envy. Or perhaps it is adoration.
Time for a scratch
Subsequently, the video cuts to show one of the calves having a good rub on the edge of an embankment.
When bathing, elephants cover their bodies in mud, which sets around parasites. As such, when they rub like this, it helps to remove the pests.
However, when the rubbing gets a bit too vigorous, the calf overbalances and tumbles into the river. Understanding the effects of gravity is a lesson this calf has yet to master.
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Sounds familiar
Having quenched their thirst, it is time for the herd to move on. However, one calf is reluctant to leave.
Like a child insisting on just one more minute in the pool, the calf doesn’t budge.
Consequently, its older sibling gives it a kick in the backside to get things moving. Trumpeting in protest, the calf finally accedes.
However, no sooner does it start to get up than two of its siblings re-enter the water. This scenario may feel familiar to any parent who’s tried to get the kids to leave the pool.
Subsequently, with a little encouragement from some of the teenagers, all of the calves leave the river.
From fun to feeding
Later, it is the chance for two older calves to provide the entertainment. While one of them scratches its belly, another approaches from behind.
Seemingly unable to resist the opportunity to taunt its sibling while in a vulnerable position, it clambers onto the other’s back, pinning it to the ground.
However, it soon tires of the prank. But the first calf is now stuck, unable to move backwards.
Accordingly, it has no choice but to go headfirst back into the river.
As it does, the other calf shakes its head, as if celebrating that its sibling has freed itself.
Whatever the case, it is time to move on. As much as they love water, elephants also love eating. What a life! Perhaps knowing they’ll soon be back at the river, the pair set off after the rest of the herd as the video comes to an end.