Robert Lourens of Jikeleza and Next Door guest Lodges, submitted this story to Travel Now after a recent visit to Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.
"The Addo always has a surprise for the visitor and this incident proved to be no exception. Coming across a water hole, we decided to stop and wait as we saw a small herd of elephant headed our way with a small baby amongst them. The baby couldn't have been more than three months old as it was still unsure on its legs and covered with a soft, furry growth.
Upon reaching the water hole, the little baby hurtled down the incline, trying to make a sharp turn to get to its mother. In its exuberant rush to get to her, it did not see the small inlet and landed with a splash into the muddy water.
'What to do?' seemed to be the common phrase passing from elephant to elephant as this one pulled and that one pushed. Meanwhile, the mother was frantic and tried to push her baby out as the others tugged and pushed.
One "miss Busybody" was doing nothing except running to a fro, creating large puffs of amber dustclouds.
Eventually the others left the mother to do her job and the little baby was eased along gently until it reached dry land.- to an audible sigh of relief from the humans on the bus and a less audible, but nonetheless obvious, one from the elephants.
Just then, from out of the bush, came a whole herd of elephants, as if summoned to the rescue. They rallied round the mother and calf as if to check
that everything was okay. Then more came charging from the other side and then even another herd. A great Indaba was held with us only hearing the odd rumble.
Only once they were satisfied no harm had come to the mother or the baby, did the elephants disperse."
(Adéle Mackenzie)
