Tiny Elephant Calf Makes A Run At Sightseers When They Interrupt His Funtime

May 05, 2020

Elephants are among the most magnificent members of the animal kingdom. There’s just something so amazing about elephants, with their massive size and long trunk, that stirs the imagination of children and adults alike. Key tourist attractions at zoos, countless people visit elephants each year to marvel at their grace and dignity. Some cultures even revere elephants as a symbol of royalty.

In a now-viral video out of Zambia from 2012, a baby elephant shows that despite his small size and young age, he is still master of his domain.

The video takes place at Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park. Covering close to 3,500 square miles of protected territory, South Luangwa National Park is a haven for over 60 species of mammals and 400 different species of birds. The park is home to every type of animal you would expect to see in Africa, including lions, zebras, and of course, elephants.

The African elephant is known in the scientific community as Loxodonta africana. Weighing anywhere from 3 to 7 tons and standing at an average of 8 to 13 feet tall, the African elephant grazes around the plains of the continent. The species moves in herds of as little as 8 individuals to as many as 100. While people might not be afraid of elephants because they are herbivores and foragers, elephants are not to be trifled with by even the toughest person. With their massive size and long tusks, elephants can cause great injury to anyone they feel might be a threat. Since they are herd animals, elephants usually have their young with them and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

In a cute video filmed by visitors of South Luangwa National Park, a baby elephant proved that he doesn’t need an adult to stand up for him. The video begins with tourists watching a herd of elephants from the safety of a car. The two men talk about how amazing the creatures are before focusing on two young elephants who are frolicking on a dirt road. One of the men laughs as he notes that the smaller of the two doesn’t seem to understand how to use his trunk.

The baby must have heard the man talking about him as he begins to approach the car. Indignant at being the subject of such mockery, the little guy stomps his feet and rears on his hind legs, much to the delight of the two men in the car. Unwilling to take any more insults from the tourists, the little calf kicks dirt at their car before disappearing back into the herd.

After being posted to YouTube, the video has since been watched over 2 million times. Those commenting on the post can’t stop talking about how cute the baby is, while also encouraging other viewers to act a little bit scared of the calf’s tough-guy routine.

In the end, the video is a cute reminder of the magnificence and diversity of the animal kingdom. The two men in the video should also be wary on their next visit to South Luangwa National Park. Elephants have a reputation of having long memories and the little guy might remember how the tourists laughed at him when he was just a baby.

What do you think of video of the baby elephant? Have you ever gone on vacation at a big national park in Africa? What animals would you want to see if you got the chance to visit South Luangwa National Park? Be sure to pass this on to any friends and family who love animals!