A group of young elephants recently captured the attention of safari tourists with an energetic display by a waterhole in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region.
The young elephants, part of different family groups, met near the Shindzela Tented Camp, where they quickly turned the gathering into a playful spectacle.
While older elephants rested nearby, the younger ones joyfully climbed on each other’s backs, pushing and tumbling around in a lively pile-up. Photographer Bobby-Jo Vial, 35, was just 25 yards away, documenting the spirited interaction.
According to Vial, the scene was filled with the loud sounds of the elephants’ trunks as they engaged in their playful antics.
“This was a meeting of several family units,” Vial explained. “Elephants, like us, have close family groups but also meet with extended relatives. It’s like a family reunion, with all the cousins playing together. While the younger elephants played, the adults watched them by the waterhole.”
The joyful encounter offered a unique glimpse into these majestic animals’ social bonds and playful nature, leaving tourists in awe.
Read more Elephant News.
