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Playful Baby Elephant Shares Cuddle with Tourist in Heartwarming Encounter

  In a charming moment captured at a Thai elephant sanctuary, a young elephant enthusiastically approached a visitor for a cuddle, offering a playful interaction that delighted everyone watching The video shows a woman seated on the muddy ground when, unexpectedly, a baby elephant bounds over, eager to make her acquaintance. The audience can’t help but laugh as the calf cozily settles on her lap. A bystander comments that the woman seems to be enjoying the unusual encounter. However, the calf’s boundless energy keeps it moving around, occasionally shifting in ways that look a little uncomfortable for the woman. She smiles and strokes the baby elephant as it readjusts onto her thighs, embracing the affectionate moment. But when the calf rolls backward onto her shins, she lets out a soft “ow,” prompting a nearby person to step in and lend a hand. Unperturbed, the little elephant soon rolls f...

Shining Bright: Elephant Turns Golden After Mud Bath in Central African Forest

One stood out in a field where elephants usually blend into shades of gray and green, gleaming like gold after a particularly thorough mud bath.

The unique sight was captured by research professor Christopher Whittier, who spotted the golden-colored elephant while visiting the Dzanga Bai forest clearing in the Central African Republic.

The golden-hued elephant was among 150 endangered African forest elephants gathered in the clearing.

Mr. Whittier, a Massachusetts-based researcher, noted that the elephants had created a “nice mud bath” in a patch of soil with a distinctly yellow tint.

“The rain had washed off the mud from many of the elephants, but this one had gone all out, making sure every inch was covered,” said Whittier, 48. He found humor in how the elephant seemed proud of its unusual look despite others showing little interest in its golden appearance.

From a viewing platform 50 meters from the mud bath, Mr. Whittier observed the herd—each elephant weighing roughly three tonnes and standing up to eight feet tall—for three hours. “It was fascinating to watch them enjoy the mud so much, especially this particular elephant that strutted across the Bai like it was showing off,” he shared.

African forest elephants are critically endangered, facing constant threats from poaching. In 2013, scientists warned that the species could face extinction within a decade if conservation efforts failed.

For Mr. Whittier, witnessing so many elephants in one place was a rare privilege, as forest elephants typically gather in small groups of four or five.

Reflecting on the experience, he said, “Many consider Dzanga Bai one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife viewing spots, often second only to Serengeti National Park—but I’m not so sure it’s second.”



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