Elephants are the biggest land animals that walk the surface of our planet. Their size means they have the potential to be incredibly dangerous and anyone that messes with one of them messes with the whole herd.
This footage, taken by Pieter van Wyk, shows how seriously elephants take any threats, to the herd, and how they will protect each other to make sure that none of them are harmed.
A Majestic Herd
Because of their large size and their habit of moving slowly, elephants always appear to be gentle giants. Each herd is led by the matriarch elephant, the oldest female, who guides and directs the others with her experience.
It looked like there were two calves in this herd, one of them hiding behind an adult while the other explored more freely. It’s likely that this adult was the mother, but elephant herd will raise their young cooperatively with aunts taking part as well.
Because of this, elephant have strong family bonds within the herd, and they will fight fiercely to protect their young when they’re threatened by forming a wall around them to keep them safe.
A Curious Calf
The adults almost didn’t have time for this defensive behavior on this occasion, as the little calf was so excited about the prospect of exploring that it had hurried beyond the immediate reach of the adults.
The herd had already encountered a lone buffalo grazing on the bottom of a bush, but as the calf hurried along it rounded a tree and moved towards the buffalo, potentially startling it.
While the buffalo was too small to really fight an adult elephant, the calf was closer to its size, and even a little bit smaller so the angry buffalo felt comfortable picking a fight with it. The calf didn’t even seem sure how to react as the buffalo thundered towards it suddenly.
Crossing The Line
The little elephant calf wasn’t being threatening or aggressive. It seemed as though it was just investigating the area and strayed a little close to the buffalo which instantly took offence and charged.
Exactly where the calf had crossed the line is unclear, but the buffalo’s anger at one small elephant in the face of the entire herd was a moment where it clearly didn’t stop and think about the potential consequences of its actions.
As for the calf, it made an impulsive decision to stand and take the charge head on, perhaps forgetting that it was still only a calf and not a full grown adult with the strength to fight back.
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Stand Off
The rest of the herd immediately came forward to keep the calf safe from any further charging attempts by the buffalo. The adults formed a circle around the younger members of the herd with their tusks facing outwards.
The buffalo faced them down for only a short moment before wisely thinking better of it and hurrying away into the bush. One calf was an easy target, a herd of adult elephants was far too much trouble.
Immediately after the buffalo fled, the elephants came together in a joyful moment as the tension evaporated, and they knew that their calves were safe. It was a touching moment that showed why it’s worth sticking with sightings to the very end.
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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