With wide eyes and a gleeful smile, a baby elephant named Lestari brought a burst of energy to her enclosure at Ragunan National Zoo in Jakarta.
Alongside her twin, the young elephant enthusiastically splashed around in the water, delighting visitors and showcasing her playful nature.
Lestari, whose name means “Preserve” in Indonesian, carries a symbolic reminder of the ongoing threats elephants face from poaching.
Photographer Alrosa Fhari, 25, captured the endearing moment during a visit to the zoo, dedicating six hours to waiting outside the elephant enclosure to secure the perfect shot.
“The elephants were playing together and washing themselves in the water. They were so adorable to watch and seemed genuinely happy,” Fhari shared. “Capturing these moments was incredibly special. I felt pure joy when I finally managed to take these photographs—it’s something I’ve always hoped to witness.”
Despite the uplifting scene, Fhari acknowledged the bittersweet reality of seeing these majestic animals in captivity.
“It’s a little sad to see such beautiful creatures confined rather than roaming freely in the wild,” he noted. “Still, they appeared well cared for and content in their surroundings.”
Elephants continue to face significant threats in the wild due to poaching for their ivory, meat and hides.
Moments like these remind us of the beauty and importance of protecting these gentle giants for future generations.
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