By Josie November 13th, 2023
This angry papa elephant tosses around a tiny helpless baby elephant from his own herd, luckily mama elephant intervenes just in time!
Male elephants, particularly during mating season, exhibit heightened aggression due to increased testosterone levels.
This hormonal surge can lead to unpredictable behavior, often resulting in the bull elephants asserting their dominance in the herd.
Females, on the other hand, are more nurturing and protective, especially of the young.
The tossing of the calf by the bull elephant is a behavior that may stem from the confusion caused by hormonal scents.
During mating season, bulls are on high alert for females in estrus.
A baby elephant will also carry this scent for a while after being born – which may seriously confuse bull elephants in the area.
A young calf is tossed around by an angry papa elephant. The calf, infinitely weaker than the hue papa elephant doesn’t stand a chance.
This display of unpredictable behavior is a reminder that threats to vulnerable babies do not only lie outside of the herd.
The birth of a new elephant is a cause for celebration within the herd, often marked by trumpeting and other displays of joy.