NewsflareWhen you go to South Africa’s Kruger National Park, you expect to see quite a few African elephants.
But I guess when you’re lying down by the pool, you wouldn’t expect three massive bulls to waltz up and start drinking the pool water.
Being an elephant obsessive, I’d like to think I’d skip over and cuddle the majestic creatures, but as the frozen couple on the right suggest, I’m sure it’s pretty intimidating.
Here is a video of the surprise encounter:
Another couple were walking up to the pool at a private camp in Kruger Park when the trio of giants paid them a visit.
So they decided to film the whole encounter as the elephants drink, make the classic noises you’d expect, while the couple lie stock still on their loungers.
The guy who filmed the video said:
We were absolutely amazed by what was happening.
The elephants did not seem bothered by the presence of the people and casually continued to drink water out of the pool.
One of the most amusing sights we have seen in a long time.
The smaller-eared cousin of African elephants also take part in their fair share of interaction with humans.
Just yesterday an Indian elephant was videoed entering the kitchen of an army base in West Bengal.
The stunning animal was looking for food, and in response to seeing the elephant, Army officials can be heard blaring warning sirens to keep personnel away.
They then drove out the visitor with firecrackers.
The Binnaguri cantonment nursing Army Medical Corps is nestled among tea gardens and forests in the foothills of western Bhutan, and the lush green foliage, fruit trees and grass, are said to attract elephants from the surrounding forests.
An official who was there when the elephant came in, said:
Two years ago an entire herd had entered the campus and even killed a contract worker.
We are used to elephants and know how to deal with them. There is not much human-animal conflict in this area.
70 per cent of the world’s population of Asian elephants live in India, but the conflict between them and local people result in up to 300 human deaths and 50 elephant deaths per year.
This conflict is largely based on crop raiding because elephants may prefer feeding on crops compared to wild forage because of their higher nutritive content and palatability.
GettyProportionally, the elephant’s brain is the most sizeable, at a mass of just over 5kg and according to Elephants Forever, the need for such a large and complex organ becomes clear when we consider the behaviours and abilities of these animals.
Elephants are capable of such a wide range of complex emotions, including joy, playfulness, grief and mourning.
In addition, elephants are able to learn new facts and behaviours, mimic sounds they hear, self-medicate, perform artistic activities and display compassion and self-awareness.
The staggering capacity of the elephant brain is beautifully demonstrated through the story of Thongsri, a 17-year-old elephant who lives in a sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Thongsri clearly harbours a sincere affection and loyalty to her care taker, shown in a touching video which has since gone viral.
The care taker was pretend-fighting with a companion when Thongsri came running over, determined to protect him from any potential threats.
Poor Thongsri looked seriously worried as she stooped down on her knees to check everything was okay, circling the care taker protectively.
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