The heartwarming moment unfolded when a cute baby elephant found itself in a sticky situation, trapped in the muddy depths while enjoying a refreshing bath.
Despite its best efforts, the young elephant couldn’t free itself from the mire and needed the assistance of its loving mother. With a gentle touch, the mother elephant skillfully utilized her powerful trunk as a makeshift crane, carefully hoisting the three-month-old calf to safety.
This touching display of maternal instinct and strength showcases the incredible bond between mother and child in the animal kingdom.
Stuck in the mud: The baby elephant slipped while taking a dip and was unable to haul himself out of the lake
Witnessing a heartwarming rescue, the protective mother elephant swiftly came to her calf’s aid, using her trunk as a lifeline to lift him out of the muddy predicament and bring him to safety.
Once the calf was safely back on solid ground, he joyfully walked away from the waterhole, ready to dry off and continue his elephant adventures.
Renowned photographer Ken Watkins, who hails from Greyton, South Africa, embarked on a journey to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, capturing breathtaking moments of these majestic elephants in their natural habitat.
‘I was worried about the calf and it took the mother two minutes to pull the stranded baby out of the water.
‘When the mother pulled the calf to safety they both walked off into the distance to dry off.’
Watering hole: The tiny elephant had been enjoying the waters of the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe
Dry land: The calf was then able to stagger back onto dry land, before the two elephants walked away to dry off