We had a very special sighting a couple of days ago: during our coffee break on the morning drive, an elephant herd came crossing the dried-out riverbed. They stopped not far away from us and we had the perfect view on them.
It was a small herd with some young adult females and two little ones. “Little ones” can already be a couple of years old, but in comparison to their moms or older siblings, they still look quite small.
Elephants live in a matriarchal system with a core of related females of all ages and their offspring. Males will leave the herd at around 14 years, when puberty sets in. The oldest and most experienced female is in most cases the matriarch. Her knowledge is ot only valuable but vital for the herd to survive.
We all settled down and stayed as quiet as possible. On their reaction it was clear that they had noticed us, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Once they know you are there, they can better assess the situation.
Elephants are very caring and protective towards their herd, but especially towards their young ones and can turn nasty quite easily when they feel threatened. Fortunately, we were considered to be in a comfortable distance and did not seem to bother them.
The herd gathered in the riverbed for a while and I was unsure what they were about to do. Then the biggest elephant, most likely the matriarch, started digging in the sand with her trunk and her front legs.
Our instructor told us, that this is their way to get to water in arid times. Elephants are clever and knowledge about food and water sources are passed over generations. Shortly after we could indeed see the success. Big mommy had led the herd to water!
We could see that the small one was thirsty, too, and so was the rest of the herd. The baby came repeatably to the hole and tried to take a sip. But the matriarch would not let him drink until she was finished. The baby´s mom was following him and from time to time pushed the matriarch impatiently, asking her to finish and let others drink as well. But that is the rule … being the matriarch also means to inherit the right to drink first and of course she would not let the next generation die of thirst. She is probably just teaching a lesson of being patient 😊
But don´t worry, everybody finally got its portion!
It was the first time that I had the opportunity to spend such a relaxed time with the elephants with the option to observe them and their social behaviour. It is one of lessons we must learn on our way to become a Field Guide: It is not about being as close to an animal as possible but rather stay in a good distance where the animals are not disturbed and do not change their normal behaviour, and simple enjoy they moment and their presence.
Good night,
Sininho
Sininho´s World 
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