Fearless elephant calf is picked up and headbutted by angry buffalo, in pictures
A young elephant calf attempts to intimidate an old buffalo bull – and is taught a lesson it will never forget. The overconfident young animal tried to attack the older buffalo, which was far larger and armed with sharp horns.
A herd of elephant were getting much needed refreshment at the Spekboom watering hole in Addo Elephant National park in South Africa, when the mature buffalo walked towards the water.
The young elephant spotted the newcomer and decided to scare the animal away – but with unexpected results.
Conrad Cramer, a wildlife guide who lives in South Africa, spotted the moment the calf was taught a tough lesson. He said: “The young elephant ran up to him, ears out and its little head lifted, typical of an adult elephant when trying to intimidate another animal or human..
“…The buffalo found no humour in this and picked up the little one and threw him in the air.”
The young elephant then raced to hide behind its mother with its tail between its legs and its pride – but nothing else – seriously injured.
Conrad, who captured the moment in March this year, said: “What surprised me was that the other elephants were in no way disturbed by the chain of events, but rather seemed to see it as a life lesson that the youngster had to learn.”