Mom Elephant Helps Her Child Climb Over A Roadside Fence
A roadside fence turned into a tiny obstacle course for one elephant family in India, and the moment a mother stepped in made the whole scene unforgettable.
As the herd crossed a concrete barrier, the smallest calf struggled to get over it, while its mother and older sibling had already made it across. That is when the mom turned back, used her trunk to lift the baby, and helped it reach the other side safely.
The clip, shared by Anish Kata, shows just how protective elephant mothers can be, and the baby’s next move is the sweetest part.
Elephant moms are very protective
“What we saw was an adorable sight of the mother elephant lifting her baby with her trunk and helping the cute baby elephant cross over,” Anish Kata wrote in the video description. “What a beautiful thing to see in the morning.”
Their offspring remains with them 16 years on average
Elephants are very caring, and the whole herd protects the young ones from the day they are born. They huddle around the female to protect her from prowling hyenas while she gives birth. A mighty herd of elephants looks so gentle when they do it.
The newborn is helped to its feet by its mother and other females. Calves are able to stand on their own within minutes of birth.
The mother and other females help guide the calf to nurse almost immediately. The trunk of the calf is still short, so it uses its mouth to nurse.
Elephants take care of their young ones for an average of 16 years, just about the same amount of time that human children rely on their parents.
No wonder they take such good care of their babies, they carry them for nearly two years before giving birth.
Elephants know that their mothers know best, they are a matriarchal society. The oldest female elephant plays a significant role in controlling the social network of the herd and ensuring the survival of the family.
Unfortunately, this means that when the pack loses its mother-leader, it will face rough times.
This is similar to the Thai national park rescue, where a mother fought to save her baby after it fell into a manhole.
They learn everything from their moms
Watch the video here:
Here are some other interesting facts about elephant moms:
A baby elephant adds about two pounds of body weight each day! Mother’s milk changes four times during the weaning process to meet the baby’s needs.
Elephants learn how to pick the best plants for eating, how to defend against predators, and how to navigate, from their mothers.
During times when water is scarce, the oldest female elephants can lead their herd hundreds of miles to water they visited years before, because they remember the locations.
Amazing, right?
Wait until you see the newborn calf moment, as the herd welcomes it.
For another family showdown, read about the elephant herd bonding when they welcome a newborn calf.
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