If I take a slow step forward, so does he. If I pause beneath these branches, he pauses too. The forest can be full of surprises, and he knows that my shadow is the safest place to be. But, those small, careful steps of his are not hesitation. They are wisdom in the making. You see how I position myself? I keep my body between him and anything unfamiliar to keep him safe. A sound in the bushes, a movement in the distance… anything could be a threat, even you with that shiny camera. Nothing personal. It is simply what we mothers do. Protection is not a part-time duty.

We Sri Lankan elephants are the largest of all Asian elephants. We have large family groups which are led by wise and experienced females, and every calf grows up surrounded by mothers, aunts and sisters… and love! You see, a herd is not just a gathering… it’s a classroom, a nursery and a circle of protection. When danger threatens, we form a protective wall, placing the youngest safely inside. When all is calm, like this afternoon in Yala’s forest, everyone’s relaxed and the calves often go for a walk beside their mums.

That calm also tells you something important... it means the herd feels secure. Look at him. Ears wide and curious, listening to everything I am saying. He is learning, always learning. Absorbing everything like a sponge! The path through the dry forest, the scent of water carried on the wind, the difference between a safe clearing and a place to avoid. I guide him through grasslands and beneath tangled branches like these, showing him where to step and what to trust.

One day he will walk confidently without pressing so close. For now, touching distance is where he belongs. Can you see him nudging me? That means he’s bored. Perhaps it is time to go for a swim? Yes, I think a little soak in the lake will nicely cool us off!

This gentle scene of a young Sri Lankan elephant calf walking closely beside its mother was photographed by Vimansha, a Mahoora naturalist, during a safari in Yala National Park. Taking small, careful steps and always staying within touching distance, the calf was quite carefree under her watchful presence. At Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala, moments like these remind us that sometimes the most memorable sightings are the simple, heartwarming ones.