Elephants are truly amazing creatures, being both intelligent and empathetic, they have complex social structures just like humans and are incredible to watch.
Jaco Joubert caught these family structures at play in the MalaMala Game Reserve, and sent the footage to Latest Sightings. Two larger elephants were playing some kind of game, and it looked like they’d caught up one of their younger relatives in it.
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These huge animals live in herds made up of females and their calves. Many of these elephants will be sisters that have grown up with each other and spent their whole lives together.
Siblings form close bonds with each other, and the older ones will often help to look after the youngest in the herd. They are still siblings, however, and rivalries and fights will occur between them.
The Littlest Elephant
Jaco’s footage begins with the littlest elephant playing with a branch which it was chewing on as a little snack. The two larger ones could be either older siblings, or cousins from other females in the herd.
One of the older elephants puts its trunk protectively around the smaller one several times, showing just how close this family is. It’s unlikely that the older ones would intentionally harm the younger elephant.
It’s more likely that this was a sibling rivalry, with the older elephant perhaps being jealous of the younger for taking too much attention and resources, or perhaps the little elephant had just wandered too close to their game.
Caught Up In The Fight
Like siblings throughout the animal kingdom, one of the ways in which these animals play with each other is through wrestling. It helps them grow up big and strong, and establish themselves in the herd.
These competitions can be friendly or unfriendly, but it was unclear if the two older elephants were actually wrestling, or if one of them was actively trying to bully the baby elephant.
It was possible that the baby elephant was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but the way that one of the older elephants put its trunk protectively around the baby seemed to indicate concern.
Once the younger calf was down on the ground, the older elephant did seem to prevent it from getting up by using its trunk to push it down again, keeping it on the ground.
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Getting The Parents Involved
If this was a bullying attempt, then it didn’t last long. Almost as soon as the younger calf went down, an adult elephant hurried onto the scene to break up the fight and make sure it was okay.
The two older elephants were instantly cowed by the arrival of the adult, which was considerably bigger than the both of them. The adult bought time for the baby elephant to get safely to its feet, and ended the game immediately.
This amazing sighting shows just how protective elephants are of their calves, even within the family unit.
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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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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