The newborn calf struggled to find its footing after it had been birthed. However, Mom came to the rescue. She used her trunk to tenderly help the little one to its feet.
As the elephant stood for the first time, it was a triumphant moment for the calf, and for the new mother.
Elephant gives birth in view of spectators
Brett related his store to Latest Sightings: “We headed out on our afternoon safari, planning to have our sundowner overlooking a nearby dam,” he said. “We positioned ourselves on the dam’s wall and took in the scene of hippos and birds all going about their day.”
He said that little did they know that this moment was about to transform into something extraordinary.
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The miracle started to unfold when Brett spotted something in the distance. “Something caught my eye,” he said. “It was an elephant seemingly in distress.”
Brett reached for his binoculars to get a closer look and in awe, realised it was an elephant giving birth!”
He said that understanding the sensitivity of the moment, they decided to reposition themselves, ensuring they didn’t cause any additional stress to the mother elephant but also getting in close enough to watch without their binoculars.
Elephant gives birth in a miraculous moment
Brett recalled the moment the elephant calf was birthed. “In our process of moving the car, we lost sight of the elephant for a minute, and when we eventually regained sight of her, the calf was already out!”
The newly born elephant calf lay on the grass, near its mother.
Brett explained the elephant mother had then done something strange, and turned to leave.
“But she returned a few moments later, and that’s when I thought she might be a first-time mother!”
He explained that her behavior was a mix of nervousness, excitement, and curiosity.
The elephant mother walked up to her calf to inspect it, where it lay on the ground, unable to stand.
“The mother elephant tried helping the calf to stand, nudging rather roughly,” said Brett. “Her inexperience showed, but eventually it was a heartwarming sight. “
The elephant mother did what all first-time moms do. She persisted, using her trunk to coerce the tiny elephant to stand up.
Eventually, the small elephant rose to its feet. It was wobbly and unsteady, however, it was standing!
This was an incredible moment to witness, and the first-time mother was fast showing she had it in her to be an incredible Mom.
With the elephant now standing, her adventures in motherhood had just begun!
Baby elephant stands to its feet for the first time
“The baby elephant finally stood, leaning against its mother for support,” said Brett. “With persistence, the calf attempted to suckle. We knew it was time to leave the new family and allow them to bond peacefully. We wanted to give them the space they needed to nurture their connection without any interruptions.”
Brett continued: “It’s these moments that remind us of the preciousness of life and the intricate balance of nature. Such moments inspire us to cherish our planet’s diverse inhabitants and their remarkable journeys through existence.”