“Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” Proverbs 4:26
This seems to be the motto of the Elephants!
And they are not kidding! This massive male elephant was NOT happy with the land rover in front of us on the road.
Quite scary for us in the “jeep” behind, as you can see from the photo, canvas on a simple welded frame, three of us sitting up on this high welded seat. Our driver/guide could not turn off our oil burning vehicle because we had already been jumped start by pushing with another vehicle at the Hippo pond moments before!
The elephant charged, raised and shook his head and then came face to face with the Land rover! As you can see from the size of the elephant that he could have easily pushed it over. Our driver reversed as that is seen as nonthreatening and we still smelled (oil) and where loud!
What we found out was there was one more left in his “group” that had not crossed the road! When she crossed, everything was fine, and we were able to drive on slowly past and then really left!
A bit further on we say the cutest/little frightening demonstration of elephant idea of family. What you can no see in this photo is a brand new baby elephant, no taller that the grass and all ears! SO CUTE!!!! We stopped took photos and one of the group auto flash went off. Well that was it- the mama would have none of that. What you see is her beginning her charge. Within seconds, literally the others in the group made a circle around the baby all facing out! You can see the formation, even a young adolescent, in seconds- you could not even see the baby. Completely organized, the mama only charged about 10-12 feet then took her place in the circle. We did not hesitate to move on, the sun was setting quickly and we all needed to get out of the park. More on that later!
