There’s something about animals that can instantly warm the hearts of many. Seeing animals happy within their realm is a joyous experience in itself. Probably the best thing about seeing animals smile, run around, pretend fight, and play with others is both watching and absorbing their positive energy and carefree attitudes. If only us human could always be like that, too, without a care in the world about what others think of us!
In one viral video recorded in 2015 at South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a newborn elephant discovers birds for the first time and decides that they are incredibly fascinating. Seeing his reaction to a flock of flying swallows is downright adorable!
The birds in the video seem equally as intrigued by the sweet, gray-skinned calf as they are flying back-and-forth and all around him, likely as a means to protect him.
The elephant is running around with an innocent smile on his face while watching his beautiful, feathered-friends soar past him. It seems that his first interaction with the creatures is a positive one! In my head, as I’m watching, I’m thinking that the elephant secretly wishes he could fly alongside the birds. “How do I do that?” I imagine him saying to himself.
While they’re two completely different creatures — one’s a mammal and one’s not — the two types of animals have had a series of positive interactions through history despite their massive difference in size and overall appearance.
Many are aware that oxpeckers, a type of bird, have a mutual relationship with elephants, helping to pick out ticks, lice, and other tiny, disease-causing parasites from their bodies. This benefits the birds as well because they get a meal. Oxpeckers also help to protect elephants, especially younger ones, from predators by making loud scream sounds as a warning sign when they perceive that the elephant is in potential danger.
I think it is amazing how animals can have a certain bond or relationship with one another. Too often, the world talks about the circle of life in terms of predators and prey, but we don’t talk enough about the positive interactions different animals can have that can benefit one another.
Apart from the animals in this viral clip, what is the cutest animal interaction you have witnessed or heard about?
Check out the baby elephant in the footage below. Then share on social media! (Please do; this elephant is definitely shareworthy!)
