Kobus Strauss sent this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while visiting the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Siesta shattered
Lions are predominantly nocturnal and will often sleep through the day. And, it was just such a sight that Kobus came upon during his game drive.
At ease in the lush green grass, it seemed nothing could disturb them. However, when a fully-grown elephant cow approached, the lions took a casual interest in her.
Lions and elephants have an uneasy relationship. While lions don’t often hunt elephants, a large pride is well capable of bringing down a sick or young animal.
Scent of a lion
At first, the scene looked peaceful enough, but Kobus was curious to see what would happen if the elephant noticed the lions. With that, he started filming.
Elephants have poor eyesight, so it is likely that when she did notice them, it was because she had picked up their scent.
Her reaction was instantaneous; immediately, she turned towards the threat. Shaking her head and flaring her ears to make herself look even bigger, she was taking no chances.
In turn, she suddenly had the attention of all the lions. Wisely, they saw the cow as a threat as much as she saw them in the same light.
Scaredy cats
After a very short stand-off, it was the elephant that made the first move, taking a slow step in the lion’s direction.
Surprisingly, that was all it took to spur the fearsome predators into action. It was as if they knew that in the unlikely event of the elephant catching one of them, that lion would be in serious trouble.
As is so often the case in Nature, they preferred to avoid a confrontation and the risk of injury or death it carried.
Brushed aside
As the cow stormed towards them, she brushed aside a small tree, trumpeting all the while. By then, the lions had all but disappeared from view.
As she arrived on the spot where the lions once lay, she pulled up. Raising her head, she continued to pose, eager to ensure that the lions got the message loud and clear.
At this point, we notice the streaming secretion on the side of her head. When elephants are stressed, fluid flows from glands just behind the eye known as ‘temporin’.
These secretions are also seen in male elephants when they enter a phase of heightened hormonal activity, known as musth. If you see these secretions, it’s wise to give them extra space.
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Hot air
Still standing proud, the cow blew air through her trunk before emitting a rumbling sound, similar to that of an upset stomach. However, these sounds are made in a similar way to how we talk, but pushing air over their vocal folds, causing them to vibrate.
It is at this point that we see other, smaller elephants approaching from the background. It is possible that they were responding to the cow’s trumpeting and rumbling vocalisations.
Magnificent mother and matriarch
As the others get closer, we can see that they are just teenagers, their tusks only just starting to emerge.
We can therefore speculate that the cow is the mother and possibly the matriarch of this small group. And that would explain why her behaviour was so aggressively protective.
To really appreciate wildlife, it helps a great deal to understand the animal’s body language and other subtle cues they give. Just ask the lions, wherever they may be.
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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