For a baby elephant, scratching an itch can be tricky, especially if it’s on its head. But one resourceful calf found a creative solution in Kruger National Park, South Africa, using a piece of bark as a makeshift scratching tool.
The young elephant was seen picking up the bark with its trunk, skillfully maneuvering it until it reached the spot that needed a scratch.
Strolling along a trail beside its mother and sibling, the calf came across the bark lying in the middle of the road. Without hesitation, it seized the opportunity to relieve its itch.
South African photographer Sean Parker, 40, who lives in Dubai, captured the humorous scene. He described the setting, saying, “It was a cloudy day with a gentle rain when a mother elephant was trying to guide her two calves across a dirt road. One of them wandered off and started playing with the bark it found.”
The calf’s playful attempts to scratch its back with the bark were amusing, though it only managed to reach its trunk.
The playful scratching session continued for about half an hour, until the calf’s mother gave a loud trumpet, calling her little one back in line. Just before rejoining, the young elephant barked one last, dreamy look.
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