While out on an African safari last year, a group of tourists witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event: a wild elephant giving birth!
That in and of itself was spectacular, but perhaps even more captivating was how her herd reacted to the birth. The independent mom walked herself through the seemingly easy childbirth, but within moments of her little one tumbling out of her tummy, the herd did the most beautiful thing.
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Naturally, the herd gave the mom a wide birth while she delivered her calf, but the moment she trumpeted, signaling the wonderful news, the others rushed over, forming a protective circle around the newborn!
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The rest of the herd rushes up in joyous celebration. Elephants are famously protective of other members of their herds, especially newborns, so this beautiful spectacle makes complete sense.
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Each of the “bodyguards”weighs anywhere between two and a half and seven tons, so any hyenas or other predators who might’ve been lurking nearby stood little chance of nabbing the baby.
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The birth took place in Chobe National Park in Botswana, Africa.
According to David Xing, who filmed the entire event, witnessing the birth was “unplanned and our group happened to be” in the right place at the right time. He went on to say that the “post birth celebration and protection from potential prey by the elephant herd is spectacular!â€
Watch the birth and joyous aftermath in the video below and be sure to share with another elephant lover in your life.
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