Dirk Brits submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it on the S128 road, in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
A giant roadblock
As we join the action in Dirk’s video, we see the road ahead blocked by a massive obstruction. Two elephant bulls are engaged in an apparent disagreement.
One of the bulls is significantly larger than the other. However, to begin with, the smaller animal appears to be holding his own in the contest.
Only sparring
In fact, for a brief moment, the younger animal manages to push his adversary backwards. It is worth pointing out at this stage that this is not a full-blown fight.
Instead, the pair are engaged in a ‘friendly’ bout of sparring. We can tell this by their relatively relaxed body postures.
No, you don’t!
Having given a little ground to the smaller bull, the larger one seems to decide that he’s had enough of this young upstart.
Consequently, he uses his superior size and mass to full effect. Despite the best efforts of his adversary, he manages to force the younger animal backwards with relative ease.
Further highlighting the fact that this is not a fight per se is the pair’s careful positioning of their tusks. In real combat, they would be trying to gore one another.
No stress
It is also worth noting that neither of the bulls is excreting via its temporal gland. These glands, located on either side of an elephant’s head, are an excellent indicator of stress or aggression.
While they are certainly competing, their behaviour is more aligned with establishing their respective places within the hierarchy of their bachelor herd.
In effect, the smaller bull is testing his strength and, in the process, refining his fighting skills.
One step forward, many back
Subsequently, as the larger animal easily forces his rival off the road, it is obvious that the other animal has some way to go before he can present a serious challenge.
As the retreating bull backpedals, he needs to do something fast to avoid a complete rout. Accordingly, he lowers his head and splays his front legs, in effect anchoring himself in place for a moment.
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Move & counter-move
To counter the loss of momentum, the more seasoned bull breaks the deadlock by changing direction. Consequently, he soon regains the advantage, forcing the other to backpedal onto the road.
With momentum now firmly in his favour, he drives the youngster backwards. Note in the above image how he even manages to lift his challenger’s front feet off the ground. No small feat when you consider elephants can weigh up to six tons.
Let that be a lesson
Ultimately, the smaller bull has to concede that he is no match for his larger and more experienced opponent. Consequently, he pivots away, thereby ending his forced retreat.
Meanwhile, the larger animal, perhaps knowing that he it won’t hurt to press home his message, continues to pursue the rapidly retreating youngster.
With no harm done to either animal, we can safely assume that they will soon return to more peaceful behaviour. Only now, each will have a clear understanding of their respective places in the pecking order.
