When a crocodile attempted to bite off his trunk, the newborn elephant escaped with the help of his mother.
A crocodile emerged from the water and grabbed a newborn elephant’s trunk as it swam around the deep end of a watering hole in the African woodland.
The herd mates looked on in awe as they fought to protect the helpless young calf from the menace, trunking and snorting.
The young elephant overpowered the terrified crocodile and toppled back to avoid harm, driving it back into the dark water.
A newborn elephant sips at a watering hole in the African wilderness, as a crocodile sits stiffly in the water a few feet away. The crocodile leaps out of the water, snapping its jaws tight around the calf’s trunk in an instant.
Mana Pools’ breathtaking photos in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley were taken with Francois Borman’s camera.” I never expected to witness this! “I was out in the jungle for several hours, hoping for some action,” he screamed.
I typically have high expectations when I go out with my camera, but this circumstance is simply incredible to behold.
“A local crocodile saw the herd of small elephants coming down to drink and spent some time measuring them up, chasing the baby calf playing in the shallows,” according to a witness.
“It’s clear the baby elephant was excited about the water because he sprang into the deep, murky water and began to roll around, screaming.”
The amazing photos were taken by talented photographer and farmer Francois Borman in Zimbabwe, close to the Mana Pools in the Zambezi Valley.
The remainder of the herd watched in amazement, snorting and trumpeting as they battled to keep the defenseless newborn elephant safe.
With some assistance from his mother, the newborn elephant shrugs off the crocodile and stumbles backward.
“It didn’t have to worry about the outside world, and it definitely didn’t consider the dangers that might be present in the murky waters,” according to him.
The tiny calf knelt down to drink from its lips because it was unsure of how to use its trunk to do so. Eventually, it got up and tried its hand at using its trunk to reach the water.
The scene was pure chaos when a crocodile leaped from the water, latching onto a baby elephant’s trunk with its powerful jaws. The calf let out a heart-wrenching shriek and fought valiantly, refusing to give up despite the crocodile’s ferocious grip. With astonishing strength and determination, the calf resisted, pulling the reptile out of the water in a desperate bid for survival. As reinforcements arrived, the herd of elephants worked together, forcing the predator to release its grip. “When I saw my pictures later, I was overjoyed,” the photographer shared, recognizing the rare and extraordinary moment captured forever.
Capturing moments like this is the ultimate reward for wildlife photographers, who often dedicate countless hours to waiting patiently in the wild. Each day is a mix of anticipation and hope, as they search for that one perfect scene that tells a story. It’s not just about skill with the camera—it’s about understanding animal behavior, respecting nature, and being in the right place at the right time. When such a rare and dramatic event unfolds, like an elephant calf battling a crocodile, the effort feels worthwhile. These snaps are not just photographs; they’re glimpses into the raw, untamed beauty of wildlife.
Sophia Rivers is an experienced News Content Editor with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for delivering accurate and engaging news stories. At TheArchivists, she specializes in curating, editing, and presenting news content that informs and resonates with a global audience.
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