A young elephant found himself isolated and standing in the rain after a family spat left him banished from the herd’s shelter under a tree.
The calf, visibly forlorn, stood alone on the savanna as rain poured down and thunder rumbled overhead.
The incident occurred in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, following what appeared to be a “trunk war” between the elephants.
Kelvin Zhang, a scientist from Los Angeles, captured the scene during a visit to the park. Zhang, 37, explained that he first noticed the herd taking cover under an acacia tree as he sought shelter from the approaching storm.
“I wasn’t sure if elephants were avoiding the rain,” Zhang shared, “because I thought their thick skin made them indifferent to it. But as we approached, I saw a young calf standing by itself in the rain while the others gathered under the tree.”
The calf seemed deliberately separated, facing away from the group. “It was fascinating,” Zhang added. “Elephants are incredibly social, but like humans, they can have disagreements or need space. Calves, especially, can be a bit rebellious and sometimes prefer solitude after a conflict.”
This moment offered a glimpse into the complex social dynamics of elephants, highlighting both their similarities to human behavior and the rich, emotional bonds within their herds.
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