Скачать или смотреть This Is Why Elephants Need Their Tusks! | Foraging with Baby Elephant Khanyisa & The Herd

A Tree Legend Falls But Is Not Forgotten

This is one fascinating example of why elephants need their tusks! These great tools help them to survive the harsh dry winters by allowing them to make the most of fallen or still live trees. This was a special tree and a bit of a bittersweet event.

A fierce storm swept through the reserve and the elements, with lightning and strong winds, knocked over the tree that once stood tall and proud in front of the elephant homestead, looking over both the big herd and the orphanage to its side. countless birds created homes in the tree with great big nests that constantly twittered and tweeted throughout the day. No doubt the birds will find a new tree to make a home in, but this one stood beside the elephants for as long as they had been in our care - since being rescued from being culled in Zimbabwe.

It was an icon. It was part of our daily visual field. But at least after nature took its course, the elephants could make the most of all the branches and bark and feed not only themselves from it, but also the numerous smaller animals who will benefit from them breaking up the pieces of the tree with their tusks and trunks.

Adine captures a very busy morning with the herd as the females, Zindoga and Sebakwe all tuck into the bark and branches. It's fascinating to watch them all manoeuvring to get a bite. Enjoy the commentary from Adine and a few more insights into elephant behaviour and feeding techniques in this new HERD video.