Overly Protective Elephant Mom Doesn’t Want Her Tiny Calf Any Closer to Humans!
Witness this incredible display of maternal instinct from the largest land animal in the world! The video at the top of the page begins as a gigantic mother elephant begins crossing a road with her calf. Following closely behind the massive mother is a tiny baby elephant, barely reaching mom’s knee! The baby is dilly dallying just a bit, and mom seems a little impatient to get to the other side of the road! Motioning with the tip of her trunk, she urges the baby to hurry up already!
The baby elephant finally gets going, and the mother resumes her slow, large steps. But as soon as the baby elephant steps onto the asphalt of the road, it gets distracted! Not too far away from where the elephants are crossing the street, the photographer and other people sit in a safari jeep. The baby elephant is clearly curious right away, and begins taking a few steps towards these intriguing unknown creatures! As soon as the baby is clearly off course, the mother elephant stomps and stops on a dime!
Elephant mothers often use their trunks as a means to guide and take care of their calves, as seen in the video at the top of the page.
©Aelice/Shutterstock.com
But the baby doesn’t care! These new potential playmates are the only thing on its mind! But the mother elephant decides its gone far enough, and quickly takes a few steps after her baby. A few strides later, the mother is towering over the baby and wraps her trunk over it. Getting the message immediately, the baby elephant walks backwards into the protection between mom’s great legs! The mother elephant slowly shakes its head at the jeep’s occupants, as if telling the humans off for distracting her baby! After a quick silent lesson, the baby follows mom to the other side of the road and into the distance!
Wild Elephants Know What They’re Doing When They Interact With Humans!
Elephants are extremely intelligent animals, and their interactions with humans only prove that. Mothers, protective and nurturing as the one in the video at the top of the page, guide their calves. The lush wilderness around them hides many dangers, from predators to poachers! In order to raise them to adulthood, mother elephants and the rest of the herd have to know what to do around humans!
When elephants have positive interactions with human beings, they often show curiosity and wonder towards any nearby!
©jacobeukman/iStock via Getty Images
Some elephants, fortunate to cross paths with friendly conservationists, experience genuine care and affection. Unfortunately, others have to endure traumatic episodes of poaching incidents, understandably beginning a life of mistrust! Elephants are incredibly intelligent though, and can absolutely distinguish between individuals.
In the fabric of their memory, elephants weave connections with humans that show them kindness. Some wild elephants can even intentionally seek comfort and security around certain humans they trust. In the most extraordinary instances, the depth of these connections can save the life of an injured elephant. One elephant walked to a wildlife safari after being injured by poachers, knowing that these humans would help! The brilliant elephant set off on a journey, likely traversing miles to reach the safari! Their memory and intelligence are truly incredible, and the attention elephants pay to each individual human interaction underlines that fact.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © saha_avijan/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
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