A mother elephant flaps her ears with a half-serious glare

Ah, there you are again with that shiny camera. I get it, we’re rather photogenic, aren’t we? But don’t creep too close. I may be gentle, but I’m still a Sri Lankan elephant and a very protective mummy to this cute bundle by my side… yes, the one tugging at my leg with his tiny trunk! He follows me everywhere, just to be sure I haven’t vanished. We mothers are some of the most devoted parents you’ll ever meet. We nurse our calves for years and teach them everything they need to know. By the way, the teaching part is a full-time job! I show him how to pull up grass, strip bark, and shake sand out before eating. Imagine having to teach someone how to use their nose properly? They’re clumsy with their trunks at first, but they get there.

Our babies learn quickly, though. That’s because we elephants are excellent imitators. A calf’s classroom is the herd, and every moment is a lesson. Watch closely on safari and you’ll see it yourself… the matriarch setting the pace and the young ones copying every move. By watching me and the others, they learn when to play, when to listen and when to behave. They see how carefully we choose food, how we greet each other with trunks, and how our ears and rumbles speak louder than words. Oh, look, junior is wriggling. He wants to go for his bath at the lake. Off we go, junior! You can follow us, but don’t forget to keep your distance, Mr. Photographer. Enjoy the view, and remember that every click of your camera is a glimpse into a world of memory, love, and lessons passed down through generations. Bye!

On a warm evening in Yala National Park, a mother elephant patiently showed her calf how to uproot and dust off grass before eating. A small but tender lesson of survival, easily missed in the bustle of a safari. At Mahoora Tented Safari Camps, moments like these are cherished, reminding us that the wilderness reveals its wonders most beautifully when we slow down and pay attention.