In South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a young elephant’s early attempts at walking resulted in some adorably clumsy moments.
The three-week-old calf, struggling to find balance, was photographed by Graeme Mitchley as he stumbled and face-planted several times.
The baby elephant had difficulty coordinating his feet and trunk on the concrete surface despite his mother’s support.
Mitchley captured the series of falls, which, though heartwarming, showed the baby’s repeated struggle to stay upright.
“We stopped because there was a breeding herd of elephants next to the road,” said Mitchley. “It’s always safer to keep your distance, especially with babies around.”
Mitchley explained that young elephants often overbalance while figuring out how to use their trunks for support.
The baby elephant, however, didn’t let his tumbles deter him. He kept getting back up, even though he occasionally landed face-first on the ground.
Observers noted that thecalf’ss anticsenentertained them for with many guessing he was either tired or simply fascinated by the road’s texture.
Despite the falls, elephants generally start walking shortly after birth. This little guy has plenty of time to learn, given that elephants typically live around 60 years.
With time, he’ll gain the coordination and strength needed to walk without falling, but he’s making us all smile with his adorable attempts.
