June 2024

This post is the last one on our visit to the Addo Elephant National Park – and it’s probably also our most precious memory.

Before returning to the main camp each day, we drove to the largest water hole (Rooidam). There we sat for a while and watched as all the wild animals came to drink water.

On our last full day in the park, we arrived at this particular water hole together with a big herd of elephants. We are again going to assume (as in one of our previous posts) that this calf is a male to make the writing of the story flow more easily.

Here’s the amazing story, with photos as it happened:

Herd of elephants arrive at the water hole

We immediately noticed the little elephant calf who was quite playful among the other elephants.

Elephant calf in the herd

“Hey there, look at me!”

There were a few bigger elephants (perhaps siblings of the calf) playing with each other. We could see that they really enjoyed the outing to the water hole. While the big elephants sprayed water over themselves, the smaller elephants tried to get some of the water on them too.

The little calf following one of the bigger elephants

Lots of pushing and shoving (probably playful behaviour)

One of the bigger siblings walked closer to the water hole, under supervision of the adult elephants, to also drink water.

The smaller elephants also wanted to drink water

Meanwhile, out of the corner of our eye, we saw a big elephant bull slowly approaching and standing on the other side of the water hole to drink water as well.

Big elephant bull

Big elephants drinking water

There were now many elephants standing in smaller groups to drink water. We also saw that the small elephant calf moved away from the group unseen and went closer to the water.

Elephant calf

The next moment pandemonium broke out. One of the smaller elephants that was under the supervision of the older ones accidentally ended up in the water. At the same time, the elephant calf that was standing a little further away also slid down the bank and landed in the water hole.

Elephants rush to help the two smaller ones in the water

The larger elephant of the two that ended up in the water was quickly helped out by the other elephants.

The first small elephant is helped out of the water

However, this was not the case with the little elephant calf. He tried to push himself out of the water, but he wasn’t strong enough to lift himself up and fell back into the water time and time again. He was clearly stressed and struggled to keep his head above the water.

Elephant calf try to get out of the water

The larger elephants all stood next to each other on the side of the water hole and tried to lift the calf out of the water with their trunks. But the calf was now quite anxious which made it difficult for the others to help him.

Adult elephants try to get the elephant calf out of the water

The elephants that were trying to help the calf trumpeted loudly and continuously. The big elephant bull that was standing aside drinking water moved quickly up to the group. He then came to stand next to them and pushed his strong trunk under the calf while the others pulled him from the front.

Elephant bull helps with the rescue effort

Everyone jumps in to help

After more than three minutes of struggling, the little elephant calf was finally out of the water – full of mud and very tired. His little legs folded under him a few times before he was able to stand up again.

Out of the water – Hooray!

The calf was actually so disoriented that he almost walked straight into the water hole again! Fortunately, the elephants were able to stop him.

Elephants ensure that the calf does not come near the water again

After this stressful event, the elephants all decided it might be better to leave the water hole.

“Let’s call it a day”

The big elephant bull was the last one to walk away from the water hole – as if he wanted to make sure everyone was safe.

The hero of the day

Even though everything was over in just a few minutes, it felt like an eternity to us – we were tired just watching everything. I looked at Berto with tears in my eyes and said: “People need to learn from these animals what it means to stand together and help each other through difficult times.”

Thank you for touring the Addo Elephant National Park with us these past few weeks.