ELEPHANT MUM CHASES PESKY RHINO AWAY AFTER PESTERING HER CALF
Share with friends
An elephant mum chased a pesky rhino away after it was pestering her and her calf.
Marsha Williams was at Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa, on December 3 when she spotted a giant leading her baby through the savannah.
Dramatic footage captured a curious rhino closely following the elephants, with his nose getting ever closer to the youngster at the back.
Clearly annoyed, the mother elephant turned sharply and trumpeted in the rhino’s face causing it to back away quickly.
“Mothers are very protective of their young, especially when the babies are very young.“
Marsha Williams
Marsha said: “I have no idea why the rhinos were so curious about the baby but I learned decades ago that you should steer clear of a mama and baby of any species.
“The rhinos learned that lesson. Mothers are very protective of their young, especially when the babies are very young.
“Everything about this exchange tells me she thought they were too close and posed a threat to the baby. This trumpet was not just a warning, but a threat.
“The trumpet from the elephant was so very loud, it echoed all around us. We were stunned. I was thrilled to capture the moment.”
🐘 Learn More About: African Elephants
🌍 Habitat: Savannas, forests, deserts, and floodplains
🌱 Diet: Grass, bark, fruit, roots
⚖️ Weight: 2,700–6,000 kg
📏 Height: Up to 4 m at the shoulder
⏳ Lifespan: 60–70 years
💨 Top speed: 40 km/h
👨👩👧👦 Social behaviour:
Matriarch-led family groups with deep social bonds.
🦁 Main predators:
Lions (calves), humans (greatest threat)
😠 Temperament:
Generally calm, but extremely dangerous when threatened.
🛡️ Defence strategy:
Size, intelligence, and fierce group protection of young.
📉 Conservation status:
Endangered (IUCN) — poaching and habitat loss are major threats.
💡 Wild Sightings fact:
Elephants mourn their dead and revisit bones years later.
Enter your email address below to receive all of our new posts in your inbox!
Leave a Reply