Searching for tracks… But they did not have to search that hard, as a herd of elephants we were looking for had decided to pay a visit to the waterhole back at Chacma Bush Camp.
Being the only guest in the vehicle, and seeing that we had not driven too far from camp, it was easy to re-route the drive and return to camp to spend time with the herd at the waterhole there.
They went that way!
This Heron was only too keen to give the game away and point us in the right direction that the herd had taken.
The recent renovations were the ideal place to sit and wait.
Coffee and snacks were at hand as I awaited the arrival of the promised pachyderms. And I was NOT going to be disappointed!
Out of the bush they trundled. If by saying trundle, I am not being disrespectful. It is merely a comment on having them emerging from the vegetation; water was foremost on their minds.
They arrived from several directions at once, hence my having to frame shots for the best effect. Elephants do NOT like to share water, and they will chase away ‘intruders’ who choose not to leave of their own accord.
On previous visits, when the vegetation was not as lush, it made it easier to spot the giant pachyderms long before they reached the water.
This time it was more difficult and I had to wait patiently until they were almost at the water before I could start to count numbers.
FYI: The largest recorded breeding herd of elephants was seen in Botswana’s Chobe National Park.Â
Although the exact number was not verified, the park is known for having the largest elephant population on the continent, with herds often exceeding a hundred elephants.
All the pushing and shoving!
Low-frequency rumbles and the occasional trumpet as they jostled for the best position.
Big ones, small ones.Fat ones and tall ones. Elephants of all shapes and sizes.
Although there is more than enough water for the herd to drink side by side, most of the animals concentrated their efforts on getting water from the pipe that feeds fresh water into the waterhole.
It became something of a traffic (or should that be trunk) jam with the larger animals claiming the first go at the pipe.
People often forget just how large the tip of a trunk is!
The tip of an African elephant’s trunk, where the two “fingers” or prehensile tips are located, is approximately 15-20 cm in diameter, which allows the elephant to pick up and manipulate objects with great precision.
Make space for me…
This youngster still had to learn how to control its trunk, as being born with it does not give it the required control.
The young elephants have to learn how to manipulate it, which can take up to a year. In the early months, calves may experiment with their trunks, but they don’t have the dexterity to use them for eating and drinking. By the time they reach one year old, they can use their trunks for various tasks, including grasping, eating, drinking, and bathing.
The littlest one did not get a turn at the pipe, but had to be content with flopping its trunk into the water unsuccessfully before going to suckle from mom.
Stand still! I need a drink.
Why does the milk container keep moving around? Seeing all the females look similar, it took the youngster a moment to find Mom in the crush of bodies trying to get access to the water, which seemed to be the priority for the adults in this herd.
Oi, I might be small, but I too need to get to the water in one way or another…
Part of the herd broke away to drink at the far end of the waterhole. This way, they did not have to compete for water.
Putting a foot in it!
All fall down…too tired to leave with the herd.
Perhaps I will make an effort and TRY to get up…
If I use my trunk, I think I MIGHT make it to my feet.
I am UP! Hit the road, Jack, and let’s get out of here.
After entertaining me for a while, the entire herd melted back into the vegetation, and I did not see them at the waterhole again while I was in camp.
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Luan, Alex, Nichole, Edward and Trent, thank you for making my stay an awesome one.
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