Elephant calf’s gym time: Video
Published by Wildcaster 1 year, 8 months ago Tags: adventure, africa, animal kingdom, blogumentary, bush knowledge, cites, conservation, documentary, ecotraining, education, elephants, endangered species, experience, flickr, GLTP, gonarezhou, Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, malilangwe, mashable, narrowcasting, Open Content Alliance, pamushana, peace parks, photos, podcasting, polls, teach, video, wildcasting, wildlife, wildlife documentary, zimbabwe.A gentle drizzle set in at dawn putting a dampener on things. But it didn’t last, although if the rains keep coming like this, is really hampers my filming and getting around the property. Already the grass is so long one can hardly even see a white rhino in it.
And today the tall grass proved rather treacherous when I drove over a hidden stump bursting my front tyre and sending the elephant stampeding at the sound of the rapidly deflating tyre.
They soon settled down again and after changing the tyre, I found them happily eating Marula berries.
Mandlovu and her herd had joined up with another family today and a young bull was trailing them.
Chipfongwe was having a great time today playing with his sisters and on several occasions they would lie down, almost purposefully, so he could climb all over them. And his youngest sister took him on in a head butting contest. The little dude is sure coming into his own.
Just before sunset the herd arrived at Mapanzani weir again. They drank and then, even in the cool weather, they all took to the water for a full on swim. Even Mandlovu was going crazy diving right under water. Of course it all seemed a bit much for Chipfongwe as he couldn’t stand and seemed to scrambling for any body he could climb on to keep him afloat and out the foray of elephants going wild in the water! I’m sure if he was in distress, just a slight whimper would bring assistance from mum or his sisters.
On my way home near the airstrip I bumped into the main elephant herd. They’re a long way from Mandlovu and her herd but with their infrasound communication they’re probably all aware of each other’s whereabouts.
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Wonderful glimpse into elephant life.
I think the movie about Chipfongwe is going to be unbelievable for its in-depth documentation of elephant interaction - especially with youngsters.
What a wonderful video. Chipfongwe is almost dancing with happiness while playing with his sister — ears, tail, and trunk all moving in excitement.
This video alone teaches enough about elephants and their socialization and closeness with family that those of us who once were thrilled to ride the elephant at the carnival or clapped for the elephant trained to stand on a ball at the circus should be hanging our heads for supporting such nonsense.
Keep changing those puctured tires, Kim. Your videos are a a great source of education for people all over the world and a real service to wild animals.
I loved the video today. Those sisters are so sweet with Chipongwe. I may be acting a little presumptuous, but I think they need names too. Or I just found a name that I thought was fitting for one of the little girls. It not an Africian sounding name but the meaning is fitting. “Tirion” which means kind and gentle in Welsh. Just a thought.
The young elephant from Mala Mala, do they think the leg defect was from the birth process, a hard birth? Is it likely that it will live a long life or will predators eventually get to her?
Hi Kim,
what a wonderful world this would be if we just enjoyed life as these magnificient creatures do.
The jolly ellies.
Cheers,
D.
This may not be doable - but is there any way that the elephant videos could be grouped together as is done for Tjololo. This thought arose because of the interest of certain people who have been sent this link.
Chipfongwe was in his element yesterday. And his sisters were obliging. And then he finished his day off with a big swim!
Nuanetsi: We’ll look into it. Might put up separate ones for elephants, lions and wild dogs. Thanks!
Paige: The deformity seems to be something from after birth. I don’t think it happened during birth. i’m sure it will live to a ripe old age if it’s legs can handle the extra pressure as it grows.
Anybody got a box full of new tyres?!