A delightful baby elephant became the star of an amusing video as it humorously thrashed about in the mud, attempting to stand up.
Michelle Broadhurst filmed the spectacle during a safari journey through South Africa’s renowned Kruger National Park.
The recording shows the juvenile elephant coated in mud, energetically tossing and turning in the brown goo while lying on its side.
The scene includes two adult elephants idly standing nearby, seemingly bemused as the calf energetically sways back and forth.
Its apparent struggle to generate enough force to stand creates a spectacle as its trunk wildly swings around.
The determined little elephant finally succeeds in rolling forward to a position where it’s resting on all four legs, although with its face hilariously grounded. The video concludes with the calf dragging itself around a bit more.
This funny moment, captured initially by Michelle in August of this year, has recently made a resurgence online. Reflecting on the extraordinary scene, Michelle commented that it seemed like the young elephant was attempting sit-ups.
She further explained, “Elephants rock their legs forwards and backward to gather momentum from a lying position. They’re truly adorable.”
According to 2015 estimates, the Kruger National Park is home to a minimum of 17,100 elephants.
As the largest land mammals, elephants can weigh up to seven tonnes and reach heights over three meters at the shoulder. They are known for their impressive lifespan, potentially up to 70 years.
