An Elephant Blog

Orphaned elephants cover themselves in dust, turning themselves red. The orphans fling trunk-fulls of red earth over their bodies after enjoying a mud bath to protect their skin from insects and the sun. Environmental consultants Mick Baines, 63, and Maren Reichelt, 36, witnessed the sight in Tsavo East National Park in Kenya. The elephants are part of a herd of orphans being cared for at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust at Ithumba. The trust rehabilitates the elephants, many of which have gone through traumatic events at the hands of humans, before releasing them back into the wild.

Photo by: rogersmithpix

This is the moment a baby elephant was shielded by its mother as a dust tornado raged just metres away.

Elephants drink water in Kapama Game Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa