When you are a child everything feels new and exciting. That was the case for this baby elephant who was only a few days old when she had her first mud bath.
With her family gathered around her, Gawa was ready to take her plunge into the mud. Unfortunately, she took an unconventional approach to getting into the water. Rather than walking in, she slipped.
“Well, that was one way to do it,” said the wildlife cameraman, Gordon Buchanan. Fortunately, the baby elephant was fine and could now enjoy her first bath with her loving nannies.
On the other side of the mud pool, the older baby elephant, Weaver, was showing off her new skills. “In comparison to Gawa, Weaver is looking strong and confident,” said Gordon.
Weaver was feeling so confident that she decided to take the more difficult way out of the water, which meant climbing a steep hill. With some help from her nannies, Weaver was finally able to make it out.
Inspired by her friend, Gawa decided she was ready to get out, but the little one started slipping on the slick mud. “At this age, she has limited energy reserves,” said Gordon. “Baby elephants can perish stuck in the mud.”
The adults did not know what to do. Thankfully, one of the handlers, Benjamin, led them down an alternative route. Because of their intervention, this scary moment became a memory this elephant could treasure. “That is one very happy, very muddy baby elephant,” said Gordon.
