Bert's Travels: Elphants, Elephants, never enough of them..

At the wall of Elephants and Elephant Kindergarten

It's been a long haul, but, brother, was it ever worth it.
There was one animal sighting after the other.

After an overnight stay in our mosy-tents we continued early the next morning.

At about mid-morning we arrived at a wide open clearing and encountered a family

of Elephants.

Although she looked young, she was the obvious Matriarch, the 'Leader of the Gang.'

Quite evidently unhappy with our cruiser, which she may have considered a competitor,

she eyed us suspiciously.

We stepped out of our TC but stayed within a meter or two of the vehicle, in case we needed a fast retreat.

The Ele rushed at us, trumpeting a challenge.

“Stay still” I heard Ant say. From his throat came a low pitched growl, which seemed to somehow calm the Ele.

But then she threw another mock attack.

She then trumpeted in the direction of some trees and bushes.

From behind this cover, the rest of the herd appeared.

About 25 or 30 in number. The adults in front, the young one and babies, well protected in the rear.

They blew sand into the air, trumpeted, and milled around as if to say:

“Leave this place. You are not welcome here.”

Very quietly and without making a sound, we stood within a meter or two of our Cruiser.

Some of the young ones pushed their way into the front line. They clearly wanted to see what was going on. As quickly as they came to the front, an adult would place him/herself before them.

There was a rumbling coming from this phalanx.

The two leaders stuck their heads together

I was certain that they were discussing if they should attack !

To this day, I am certain, that the low rumbling which came from Ant's throat

assuaged their planned aggression, and finally,

after renewed throwing of sand, they moved off into the bushes.

Some more throwing of sand, some waving of the trunks and finally they must have decided that we posed no danger and slowly ambled behind the trees and bushes from where they had come.

The Ele-Kindergarten

in the Pond.

Please bear with me. Some more Eles coming your way:

On our return journey we happened upon a pond which, quite obviously, was a 'Kindergarten Playground” for very young Elephants.

There were three 'Teenagers' watching out for about fifteen Youngsters.

We observed them for over two hours and noted, that the teenagers kept very close watch over their charges.

The kids would spray each other, would try to push each other over, roll in the water and generally behave like children.

“If you listened very carefully, you might even hear them giggle and laugh.”

I imagine the Matriarch having said to the three Teenagers:

“Take the little ones out for a swim in the pond. Take good care of them and bring them back in a couple of hours.”

“Tender loving care and protection”