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This heartwarming video was submitted to Latest Sightings by Wild Wings Safaris. They witnessed the incident in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Time To Go
As the video begins, the viewer is confronted with a distressing sight. As its herd moved off after a visit to the water hole, an elephant calf struggled to scale a steep embankment.
Up above, its mother knelt, trying to help it over the obstacle. However, for all her efforts, she cannot work out how to assist her offspring.
The Herd Departs
Unaware of the unfolding drama, the rest of the herd turned to leave the water hole.
Noticing their departure, the mother redoubled her efforts to help her stricken baby. Down below, the calf was getting increasingly stressed. A matter not helped when it slipped in the thick mud.
Calm Momma
Like any good mom, the elephant cow stayed calm. Quietly and deliberately, she climbed down to her calf, hoping to help it from below.
However, when that didn’t work, she seemed at a loss. Again, she knelt on the lip, yet struggled to come up with a solution for her dilemma.
Call For Help
Then, for a moment, the mother turned away from her calf, as if to leave. However, it seems at this point that she may have called for help from the departing herd.
Elephants can communicate ultrasonically, so while we don’t hear anything, perhaps her family did.
Comforting Gestures
Next, the mother again descended into the wallow with her calf. Elephants will soothe their babies by letting them suck the tip of their trunks. For a moment, the mother tenderly put her trunk to her calf’s mouth, as if to reassure it.
Misunderstanding
A short while later, we see the feet of the other elephants making their way back to the mother and her calf.
However, as the mother climbed out of the wallow and her calf made to follow, confusion took over. Mistakenly thinking the calf was fine, the others turned to leave again.
Not Giving Up
The patient mother again turned towards the herd, possibly calling them, before turning back to resume her efforts to help her calf.
Meanwhile, the herd turned once more, ready to assist if they could. Moments later, one of the older, more experienced cows arrived.
Then, placing themselves on either side of the calf, they gently squeezed the calf between them.
Success!
Combined, the two females gently brought the calf up over the lip of the embankment…
Finally out of the water hole, the relieved calf immediately sought comfort under its mother’s legs.
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Moving On
With that, the herd turned to leave. But not before the mother accidentally bashed her calf in the head. Oops!
Thankfully, no harm was done, and the happy herd was soon on its way.
Family Ties
The video perfectly showcases the intelligence and strong family bonds found in elephants. The female showed a strong loyalty to her calf.
But beyond that, she knew she could count on her herd to help her resolve the situation. And… a moment of confusion aside… the herd showed themselves as willing to come to her aid.
And, lastly, the value of experience shone through when the older cow eventually (and easily) helped the calf out of the wallow.
They say we protect what we love. After seeing this video, how could you not?