A couple of days ago we had a fantastic elephant sighting. Of course, bad luck would have it, I had skipped that drive, and so I missed it. But the photos that Uyai took compensated for that. It is always nice to see the elephant herd doing so well, and growing in size over time. The herd is now a third larger than it was 5 years ago, and seeing them is one of the most breathtaking experiences our guests can enjoy here. They are so much bigger than photos reflect. An elephant can measure over 5 meters in height, so they tower over the vehicles, and that is a deeply humbling experience for any human. A 7-ton elephant never fails to impress! It looks like we may introduce more elephants to the reserve, as the reserve has grown in size (over 36,000 acres now), and more land is expected to be added to it. But as it is, the reserve can easily handle over 30 elephants, so that’s why it makes sense to introduce more. They are paramount in clearing over-grown portions of the reserve, but then again every animal plays a pivotal role in the whole eco-system. Personally, I just enjoy the sighting of a large and happy herd of elephants, going about their lives. They make the world a beautiful and wonderful place.
It is well known that elephants are extremely loving and kind to their offspring, and with a gestation period of well over a year, the birth of a new baby elephant is big news in the herd. All females take interest in the event, and support the mother and new-born. These moments are very touching, and it shows that the differences between humans and animals do not really exist. Raising her child is an utmostly important and enjoyable task for any elephant mother, and this bond remains way beyond the childhood age. They will always recognise each other, and share tender moments when they meet later in life, or stay together in the same herd if it is a female elephant baby.
Here some of the lovely photos that Uyai has taken. What a great moment.
