Baby elephant with stumpy tail scratches his bum

While on safari in the Kruger National Park, we came across a herd of elephants. Suddenly a tiny baby elephant grabbed our attention. He stood in front of a bush, adorably scratching his bum with real intent. After this comical display, he moved away from the bush. We immediately realized that this was no ordinary baby elephant. He had a stumpy tail, with more than half his tail missing! We came to the conclusion that his tail was definitely bitten off by a predator. A horrifying experience that left this baby elephant scarred for the rest of his life and in extraordinary pain. Not to mention the emotional stress this poor little guy had to deal with.

The first two years in the life of a baby elephant is the toughest. They are vulnerable to the many dangers and challenges lurking in the African bush. Their biggest threat are lion and hyena, especially at night. The wounds on the tail clearly show that this poor baby elephant was attacked and grabbed by the tail, which was then bitten off. His only saving grace was his mother and the rest of the herd. Since it takes 22 months for a calf to be born and the calving interval thereafter is at least 4 years, calves are family investments that are not easily replaced.

The elephant’s tail can be as long as 1,3 meters and is tipped by a series of very coarse, wire like black hairs. They have an extraordinary degree of control over tail movement and use them as a fly swatter against biting flies and insects. This was the main reason for this baby elephant with his stumpy tail scratching his bum against a bush. After a good scratch, the little elephant quickly joined the herd again. As they move off into the bush we can clearly see how the rest of the elephants are using their tails to keep the insects away. This poor baby elephant will never again be able to swat these insects away. He will forever have to find an alternative way to get rid of the itch on his backside.