Elephant cow seen carrying dead calf around in Namibia

Posted by Anita Froneman on 2 November 2022

An unusual – and heartbreaking – sighting was caught on film at Namibia’s Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. An elephant was seen carrying her dead calf around with her for two days.

The calf was born on 27 October to a herd of elephants that live close to the Huab River. 

William Stegmann, Marketing Officer for Namibia Lodges shared some background information. 

‘From the first day, the baby was not very strong and struggled to keep up with the herd as they trek long distances to reach drinking water. There is not enough water at De Riet, so the elephants have to come up to Rendewoudt settlement, in the Abahuab River close to Doro Nawa Lodge, to drink water.

 

‘The next day, the guides still saw the baby, but we speculate that she must have passed away during the evening. The heartwrenching photo was taken on the morning of 29 October. The heartbroken mother carried the baby along, only placing her down intermittently to eat.  After two days, the matriarch chased the mourning mother away from the dead body and the entire herd moved on, including the mother.’

Elephants have long been suspected to show mourning after a loss – though researchers are yet to prove it scientifically.

Pictures: Philip Shilongo, Tour Guide

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