In a heartwarming scene, an elephant was spotted using its trunk to clean its ears, appearing to wear a contented expression as it reached back to scratch its large, floppy ears.
The charming moment and scenes of two elephants strolling together along a waterhole were captured at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve near Pretoria, South Africa.
Photographer Ilna Booyena, 50, from Johannesburg, took these photos during a visit to the reserve.
Ilna shared her thoughts on the experience: “I visit the game reserve to escape the busyness of everyday life and immerse myself in nature’s calm. I spent about half an hour with the elephants while they played and bathed in the water. They then started rubbing against the trees and using their trunks to clean their ears!”
She described the many uses of an elephant’s versatile trunk, noting how it serves for drinking, bathing, dusting with sand, eating, smelling, socializing, and even ear cleaning. “Elephants are wonderful animals, and it’s a delight to watch their unique behaviors,” she added.
After their refreshing water time, the elephants gathered and disappeared back into the bush, leaving behind a memorable display of their endearing, everyday habits.
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