Watch the video here:
Our TingVision system at Buckler’s Lodge on the border of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, submitted this footage.
A remotely operated camera captured the footage, and we’re sure to bring you more in the future. In the meantime, be sure to follow our Facebook page.
Peacefully browsing
On the banks of the Crocodile River, a young elephant bull grazes peacefully beside the swiftly flowing water.
Initially, it looks like he is alone. However, in the next scene, several males of varying ages join him.
Bachelor herd
This is a typical elephant bachelor herd. Male elephants live quite a separate life from females, although they will occasionally spend time together for a few days before parting ways.
However, like many social animals, they form hierarchies within which each member holds a rank, typically determined by age, size, or musth status. Hierarchies serve the purpose of social organisation, conflict reduction, and sharing ecological knowledge.
Into the water
A little later, two of the bulls decide to head into the river. Elephants have no aversion to water and cross it regularly to get to better grazing.
From the outset, however, it is apparent that the following elephant sees this as more than just an opportunity to get from point A to point B. The first clue of this is when he nudges the lead elephant’s rump.
Upping the ante
As the lead elephant continues to dawdle across the river, the larger bull behind decides to up the ante. Initially, he does so by shoving the other bull from behind.
While it does make the lead bull move faster, it soon becomes evident that it is not fast enough. Consequently, the big bull further escalates the situation.
More pressure from the rear
When the lead bull stops, hoping to have a drink, the other bull lowers his head and prepares to give his smaller companion a rude surprise.
Next, he swings his head upwards and jabs the other elephant in the backside with his sharp tusks. Unsurprisingly, this has the desired effect, and the lead bull quickly moves forward again.
It should be noted that this is probably not a case of true aggression. If anything, the larger animal is just asserting its dominance by moving the other one out of its way.
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Clear message
To ensure that his message was well and truly understood, the bull kept his tusks to the other’s rear for several metres.
Only once he was sure his rival was going to keep moving did he stop.
Savouring victory
Ultimately, the bull was left on his lonesome to enjoy the cool waters at his leisure. With such massive bodies, bathing in water helps elephants keep cool.
Biding his time, the elephant seemed to contemplate his victory before slurping up several gallons of water. An elephant’s trunk can hold between 8 and 10 litres (about 2 to 2.6 gallons) at a time.
Then, as the footage comes to an end, the bull was last seen feeding from a grass island midstream. We can’t wait to see what our TingVision cameras will show us next!
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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