An incredible incident was captured in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana when a pack of hyenas attacked a herd of elephants, including a newborn calf.
The photos were captured by American photographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, who witnessed the elephant charging at the hyenas to protect its offspring.
Mehta reported that he heard cries of elephants in distress and upon investigation, found a group of 12-14 hyenas chasing the herd of around eight elephants.
The hyenas were trying to attack the baby calf that had already been injured. The elephants were running hard through the bush, and the baby stuck close to its mother while the other elephants tried to stay around the baby as much as possible.
During the hour-long chase, the hyenas kept darting in and biting the baby, mauling it quite badly, especially its hindquarters. Mehta reported seeing some of the hyenas irritating the larger elephants while others tried to grab the baby whenever the attention of the larger elephants was diverted.
Despite being aggressive towards the hyenas, the adult elephants did not injure them. The elephants eventually managed to shake off the hyenas, but they found the elephants, and the chase resumed.
The elephants eventually escaped, and Mehta reported that the experience was one of the most exciting and thrilling experiences he has had.
This heart-stopping moment is a reminder of the brutal realities of nature and the protective instincts of animals towards their young. It’s also a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect these magnificent animals and their habitats.
In conclusion, the incident where an elephant fought off a pack of hyenas to protect its injured calf is a testament to the protective instincts of animals and the harsh realities of nature.
It’s crucial to raise awareness about the threats facing these magnificent animals and promote conservation efforts to protect them and their habitats.