ELEPHANTS UP CLOSE

A distinct advantage of visiting the Addo Elephant National Park is that one can enjoy close encounters with the elephants there. Of course one has to be careful and remain vigilant: they are wild animals after all. Here are four examples of the fascination I find in seeing elephants up close. The first shows a fine set of tusks on an elephant next to the road:

The plant on the right hand side of his trunk is Spekboom (Portulacaria afra), a favourite food of the elephants.

This elephant had just emerged from a mud bath when it walked across the road:

Elephants frequently either have mud baths or splash mud over themselves to protect their skin from insect bites.

Of course it is essential to drink water regularly – even the tiniest trunks get to master this important task:

These elephants were at the Hapoor Waterhole – a favourite meeting place for elephants in the national park.

Lastly, elephants eating: