Mark Fox of Foxy’s on Safari filmed this rare sighting. To put the unusualness of the sighting into perspective, only one percent of elephant births result in twins!
As such, the odds of witnessing such a beautiful spectacle are next to nothing!
Watch The Sighting:
Elephant twins enthrall game viewers
Elephants are known for their incredible social structures, where family is everything. At the core of these families is the mother, whose bond with her calf is one of the strongest in the animal world.
This mother enjoyed a special bond with her twins. The twins also appeared to share a special bond with one another.
The twins waded in the shallow river, enjoying the cool, refreshing water, and exploring the world which was new and exciting to them. They stayed in the shadow of their mother’s protection as they enjoyed romping playfully in the water.
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The elephant mother embodied patience, strength, and love as she guided them and they stayed close to her as she made her way through the watery terrain.
A picture of motherly love
Elephant mothers are deeply attentive to their calf’s needs. They will nurse their calf for up to three years and stay physically close to it for several more years.
The calf is completely dependent in its early months, relying on its mother’s milk and guidance.
With two calves in her care, this mother elephant had to be extra vigilant as she walked along. Two calves also meant the demands on her energy were multiplied.
Fortunately for her, strong bonds exist in the elephant herd, and she was no doubt assisted by ‘aunties’ in the herd. Other female elephants will typically offer support in the raising of calves.
In this picturesque setting, the twins were a picture of health.
The elephant calves will learn everything they need to by watching the adults. This will include how to find water, what to eat, and how to interact with the other members of the herd.
Even though the twins won’t forever be dependent on their mother, their strong bonds with her will continue into adulthood.
The herd of gentle giants moved across the riverbed, stopping at intervals, and splashing playfully in the water. They interacted with one another in meaningful ways, displaying their complex and intelligent nature.
At intervals, the twins would pause to suckle. Then it was back to exploring. They seemed all trunk and feet as they wobbled their way along.
They also appeared tiny next to the adult elephants. However, elephant calves are actually quite large! They are in fact the largest land mammal babies. At birth, they already weight 90 to 135kg!
However, to Mom, these two darlings were precious gems to protect. The bushveld is filled with unexpected threats and the mother elephant and the rest of the herd remained aware of everything around them. These twins weren’t just the mother’s. They belonged to the herd and for elephants, it’s all about family.