Adorable Baby Elephant Captured Taking Wobbly First Steps and Tumbling
An enchanting moment was caught on camera as a newborn elephant took its first shaky steps before faceplanting the ground, reminiscent of Bambi’s first steps on the ice.
Belgian wildlife photographer Caroline Deschuymere witnessed the heartwarming scene while visiting Mwinilunga Safaris in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. She was at the camp when she saw an elephant enter the grounds and give birth.
The video captures the baby elephant attempting to find its balance, twisting its trunk and wagging its tail. The calf hesitates before taking its first step, only to tumble to the ground shortly after.
The calf stumbles to his feet in Mwinilunga Safaris in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, as he tries to keep up with his mother. Source: Daily Mail
Nearly there! The tiny elephant struggles to balance as he stretches out his trunk and tail for stability. Source: Daily Mail
As the mother elephant walks ahead, the baby tries again, only to trip over its own trunk. The calf struggles to stand up, slipping on the ground much like the beloved Disney character Bambi on ice.
However, it wasn’t long before the baby elephant found its footing and began walking alongside its mother.
The elephant tumbles to the ground as taking his first steps proves to be harder than he first imagined. Source: Daily Mail
He extends his trunk to keep up with his mother as he finally gets the knack for walking. Source: Daily Mail
Caroline shared her experience, saying that she usually focuses on African wild dogs or lions during her early morning wildlife explorations. However, on that particular morning, she noticed many baby elephants and decided to stay with them.
B̲a̲m̲.̲b̲i̲! Wildlife photographer Caroline Deschuymere, from Belgium, likened the elephant to Disney’s Bambi. Source: Daily Mail
She further explained that it’s common to see elephants around the camp during that time of day as they come to eat and drink. She was observing the elephants when suddenly there was a commotion. It was then that she saw the mother elephant had just given birth.
The mother tenderly looks at her tiny calf as he struggles to keep up with her while walking through the safari. Source: Daily Mail
The determined calf shows no signs of giving up as he shows off his steps in front of his mother. Source: Daily Mail
The baby elephant spent over an hour trying to stand up, as it needed to learn how to stretch and balance on its legs. Caroline couldn’t help but laugh as the baby elephant appeared slightly intoxicated while trying to stay upright. Eventually, the baby succeeded, and its older sibling offered support during the process.
