This sighting was was filmed in Kruger National Park and shows tender moments that highlight the empathy and tight-knit nature of elephant herds.
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Elephants are among the most intelligent and emotionally complex animals on Earth. Their herd behavior is especially fascinating, rooted in deep social bonds and cooperative care.
Calf Collapses On The Road In View Of Motorists
When this calf collapsed on the road, its herd demonstrated just how complex and beautiful these emotional bonds between herd members are.
This ‘good news’ story warmed the hearts of the many motorists who were gathered to witness the incident.
The moment the calf collapsed was rather dramatic. Its knees buckled, and it wobbled to its side. It even appeared to be dying, and no doubt, everyone watching from their cars held their breath
Adult Elephant Arrives To Assist
However, the young animal was in good company. No sooner had it grown still on the tarmac of the road, an adult elephant arrived at the scene of the collapse.
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The elephant used its trunk quite thoughtfully to poke the little one as if to say, “Get up!” However, the calf remained lying down.
Second Elephant Arrives At Scene Of Collapse
A second elephant soon arrived, also using its trunk to gently prompt the calf to stand.
Then There Were Three
There was clearly concern now from the herd, and a third elephant joined the other two, also investigating the calf and attempting to revive it.
It was unclear what had happened to the little one. Perhaps it was weariness that had caused it to collapse. Or perhaps, like a child, it was putting up a fight and refusing to budge because it didn’t feel like continuing to walk.
However, in this instance, the collapse was so dramatic that the motorists probably wondered whether the young elephant would ever rise again.
At one point, it momentarily lifted its head, and it appeared it was going to stand up.
However, just like that, it fell to its side again. It was indeed a dramatic little elephant.
Another calf now came to assist, along with an adult elephant. The adult elephant kicked at the calf to revive it. The calf, which was standing, copied the adult in a poignant moment.
Then something magical started to happen. The little elephant lifted up. While its knees were still bent and it appeared weary and wobbly, it was nonetheless rising.
The adult elephant continued to encourage it, or rather, to kick at it. The herd was on the move, and there was no way that they would be leaving the calf behind.
A Triumphant Moment
In a triumphant moment, the small animal stood on all fours, ready again to take on the world. It was hard to believe that this was the same elephant that had collapsed earlier.
The calf walked ahead of the adult elephant now, head up and gait steady. There must have been cheers from the motorists, who possibly believed the calf had been injured and was dying on the road.
The herd moved off with determined purpose, all of its members in unity: all for one, and one for all!