It’s believed that elephants have extraordinary memories. But as we learn more about elephants, it seems that their remarkable memory is just one aspect of outstanding intellect. They are shown as being among the planet’s most social, creative, and empathetic species.
Like many human mothers, elephant mothers are very protective of their young and would stop at nothing to keep them safe. Moms are known to wrap their tails around their babies to keep them close and secure.
You wouldn’t want to be on an elephant’s bad side because they are a creature that never forgets and is fiercely protective of the people they love. One crocodile saw firsthand what it’s like to return to a drinking establishment he ought to have avoided.
An astonishing image was taken on video by Hans Henrik Haahr, a traveler from Rhus, Denmark, while he was in Zambia in East Africa. While on safari in the Lower Zambezi Valley with a group from the Baines River Camp, Hans observed a sizable female elephant in the river’s shallows. The crocodile was also seen.
Reports said that the apex predator had been pursuing the elephant’s calf that was lying by the river. Fortunately, the mother elephant noticed what was happening and decided to take action. After it dared to prey on her calf, the crocodile was viciously attacked by the enormous, enraged African elephant in the frightening video.
The mother elephant approaches the crocodile in the video and starts to push it with her head and jaws before trampling it. At one point, she also encircles the lizard with her trunk and throws it. She used her trunk, head, mouth, and feet to carry out the entire attack because she had no tusks. It was enough to kill the crocodile.
This poor crocodile died exactly beneath the feet of the African Elephant, the world’s largest land animal, and was never seen again. According to the account that posted the video, Latest Sightings, the elephant in this video weighs between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds. This is far more pressure than the crocodile can withstand.
“Guests witnessed this dramatic sighting unfold between two of Africa’s most feared mega-fauna. Perhaps this was a revenge attack fueled by previous ambush attempts by many a crocodile on her young or the greater herd. Whatever it was, this cow was here with one intention only,” a representative for the Bains River Camp, which organized the safari, posted the statement alongside the video on its Facebook page.
Videographer Hans Henrik Haahr, who shot the footage, described it with one word: “shocking.” As the crocodile put up a fight while being restrained by the enormous African elephant, thrashing beneath the water’s surface, the footage was dramatic indeed.
The greatest description came from the safari firm, which said, “While this footage might be difficult to see, it depicts just how raw and rough life is in the bush.” It also demonstrates why the African elephant is regarded as one of Africa’s Top 10 Deadliest Animals, along with the crocodile. After viewing this clip, it’s clear to see why healthy adult elephants have no natural predators. As opposed to natural predators, humans are the only ones who hunt elephants.
This was an extraordinary occurrence. While elephants rarely attack crocodiles, mother elephants will aggressively defend their young, and male elephants can also be aggressive during mush.
It’s impossible to predict what might occur in the wild. The crocodile probably believed it was sneaky as it approached the mother elephant. He had no idea that that would be his final act. When the croc is no longer struggling for its life, the other elephants that nearby appear to be watching in awe and thankfulness.
After a strenuous battle, the mother elephant drinks a couple of trunk-fulls of water to replenish herself. Hopefully, this will show nearby predators how potent a mother is when defending her offspring. After all, “mama bear” has become a household term for a reason. This croc learned the hard way that there is no location that is more deadly than between a mother and her child.
Watch the video below for more details:
Sources: TapHaps, InternationalFundforAnimalWelfare, SeaWorld, Daily Mail
