The Texture of Elephants

Wrinkled and rough, creased and crusted, the texture of elephants create living landscapes in nature. These thundering giants with gentle eyes captivate and hold tight in our imagination. Even if you have never seen one, it is likely that your mind can quite easily conjure up an image of this unique and curious creature. And yet, if you have been lucky enough to encounter one up close, you might be hard-pressed to find the words to describe it the magic of being in its presence.

Wild Elephant Encounters

Whether sitting quietly surrounded by a large herd in the Sabi Sands, listening to the cracking of branches and swooshing of trunks as they forage and feed in the woodland, or watching a family play and relax on the banks of Kenya’s Ewaso Ngíro River, each experience has been different from the last. And each encounter leaves me longing for the next.

Love at First Sight

My very first trip to the continent was visiting Tanzania in 2007 and I was rightfully humbled by the mock-charge of a large bull in musth! It was in Tanzania that I first stood barefoot in elephant footprints and watched in the moonlight as a small family crossed a dry riverbed 100 feet from our truck. There years later, in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve, I photographed a 3-day old calf — and the next day, that same calf taking baby steps, another day older.

Once, at first-light in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a young bull paid me a visit at my tent, his eyelashes poking through the mesh window as I was lacing my boots. Every experience has been memorable. You do not easily forget an elephant encounter. Now, after 10 years of travelling to Africa, my elephant memories will last me a lifetime!

Walking With Elephants

Morula was born around 1977 and was an orphan of a Zimbabwean culling program. She was 31 when I met her and had the opportunity to walk with her through the wilds of the Okavango Delta. She was one of three elephants that I was privileged to spend time with, accompanied by Doug Groves of the Living with Elephants Foundation. Rubbing her trunk, legs, and belly, my fingers roamed her textures, delighting in the feel of her hard, rough skin and her prickly, thick ridges covered with short bristles of hair. We joined her family, trailing behind and walking through the bush, in her way, in her time. When she lay her trunk over my shoulder it felt like a wire brush and I was astonished by its weight. My heart danced in my chest…

Elephant Ears are a Soft Touch

There is absolutely nothing delicate about the texture of elephants. That is until you rub behind their ears. The most heightened sensory experience I have ever had with an animal has been running my hands behind the ears of an elephant. Their skin transforms. Warm and soft with smooth contours, those enormous flaps protecting hidden hollows. It is magical. They are living landscapes my palms have roamed in wonder.

Our Connection to Elephants

Elephants seem to hold enormous appeal. I am not quite sure what it is about this marvelous animal that captivates us so. Whether it is the unimaginable size or that wondrous and unusual body? Or perhaps we are drawn to the herd and the close sense of family they share with humans? Or maybe their deeply emotional personalities? Whatever it is, of one thing I am quite certain; our connection to the elephant runs very, very deep.

I know I have been charmed by the elephants I have met and I am fortunate to carry them with me.

For more information about elephants and how you can help, please visit the following organizations:

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

http://worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant

https://biglife.org/

http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/elephants/

The post The Texture of Elephants: Living Landscapes in Nature appeared first on NJ Wight.

(The images that follow contain difficult subject matter.)

A Lioness Nearing Her End

Midmorning we spotted an older lioness lying lifeless in tire tracks on the Luangwa riverbed. The sun was blazing hot and she most certainly had no energy to move. From her sharp hip bone and protruding ribcage, it was quite clear she was suffering and had not eaten for many days. Because she was at a distance, it was difficult to see her well, but her distress was painfully evident. As we drove away, I honestly did not think this girl would make it through the day. The fact that she was a mature female, ant least 12 years old — near the end of her natural life — did not make it any less heartbreaking. It is one of the hardest things about what I do — watching an animal suffering and knowing all you can do is respectfully bear witness.

Later that day, driving through the shadows of nightfall, we were alerted to activity down on the river bed. We arrived under darkness and positioned ourselves on the bank above. In the middle of the riverbed we were shocked to see the same lioness and she was in the throes of attacking a young elephant! They were at a fair distance and it certainly proved challenging to photograph under the fading beams of the jeep headlights.

A Young Elephant Fends for Itself

The elephant was likely between 1-2 years old and far too young to be on its own. Clearly separated from its herd, it would have a difficult time surviving. That did not stop the calf from putting up a heroic fight. By the time we arrived, it was evident that the lioness had already bitten off the elephant’s tail. She had the small trunk in her jaws, wrestling to hold on and bring it down. It was shocking to see such a young elephant all alone in this fight for life. However, it was equally painful to watch the desperation of this very weak lioness. She was clearly struggling to find the strength to hunt and live one more day.

The tenacious young elephant managed to use its bulk to its advantage, straddling the lioness as she was clinging to its trunk. The big cat was eventually too weak to hold on and found herself flattened. She was in a desperate situation under the weight of her feisty opponent.

A Battle of Life and Death Comes to an End

It took an enormous effort for the old lioness to pull herself free. When she finally managed to stand, the young elephant turned towards her, fiercely trumpeted and fearlessly chased her off!

Moments later, the emaciated big cat climbed the bank and came out right in front of our truck. She was panting heavily and clearly exhausted. We could see she had several teeth missing and her gums were bleeding.

No Winner in South Luangwa

My heart was heavy for these two fierce survivors. We had likely witnessed the lioness in her last attempt to feed herself. Her body was discovered the next morning. The elephant survived, although was clearly wounded. It was unclear how it came to be wandering on its own at such a young age and I knew in my heart it was going to have more life-threatening challenges ahead if it was not soon reunited with the herd.

On Life and Death and Bearing Witness

It is never easy to see an animal suffer,  but for one animal to survive, often, another must die. This is a fundamental part of understanding our natural world. It is a fundamental part of my work to document these difficult but natural occurrences.

Professionally, it is my intention to teach about the wildlife subjects I observe and photograph—all aspects of their lives. When I am working, I try not to turn my back on an animal suffering because it is uncomfortable for me. I very much try to hold myself accountable to bear witness. I show my respect to a life that is being taken by not turning away, and I say a silent thank you to them for giving their life so that another can live. I watch a predator hunt successfully and I feel gratitude that they are able to have another meal-especially if they have a family. This part of my work Is never easy, but I am committed to doing my best to hold both of these feelings in my heart at the same time. To honour both lives. I have learned more than I could have ever imagined by watching difficult sightings in the wild. It has been a great privilege to bear witness to all I have seen.

Thanks!
I appreciate you taking the time to look at my work. I support myself through my photography and writing. Please check out my memberships on Ko‑fi  My members have access to additional exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes virtual safari updates. I greatly appreciate your support. Thanks for your consideration.

The post Battle of Life and Death in South Luangwa appeared first on NJ Wight.