A week-old elephant calf, weighing around 200 pounds, was caught on camera struggling to find its balance as it learned to walk in Kenya’s Samburu National Park.
The touching moment, captured by wildlife photographer Margot Raggett, highlights both the challenges and charm of early elephant life.
In the series of photographs, the baby elephant can be seen wobbling and occasionally collapsing under its weight. Despite its tumbles, the calf’s mother patiently walked alongside, offering silent support.
“Young elephants are some of my favorite subjects to photograph,” Raggett shared. “They’re either being playful and mischievous or acting like clowns as they try to figure out how to move around.”
She described how the calf, after falling in a dry riverbed, appeared to blame its own foot, lifting it for inspection before attempting to stand again.
Throughout the ordeal, the mother elephant calmly grazed nearby, keeping a protective eye on her youngster.
This behavior is typical of elephants, known for their strong maternal instincts and communal care.
In cases where a calf loses its mother, other females in the group often step in to provide nurturing and protection.
Unfortunately, African elephants continue to face significant threats due to poaching, even in regions like Samburu National Park.
Conservation efforts are vital to ensuring that moments like these—of baby elephants learning to walk—remain part of Africa’s natural landscape.
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