WATCH: Rare elephant birth sighting in Kruger National Park
A shocking, two-minute video capturing an elephant giving birth in the Kruger National Park has gone viral on Facebook. It is a must-watch!
“Amazing sighting of an elephant giving birth this morning, 5km before Lower Sabie from Croc Bridge. We were privileged to witness the birth and interactions with the rest of the herd (around 60 elephants), and the electric atmosphere they created with their vocalising and stomach rumbling. A lifetime sighting.” .
An extraordinary video by Adam Fillmore shows an elephant in the wild brining new life into this world.
It's very rare to catch a glimpse of the circle of life. See this magical moment unfold in our very own Kruger National Park, South Africa:
WATCH: Elephant runs amok on three legs in SA's Kruger National Park!
As seen in the two-minute video above, the elephant is seen pushing out a calf.
Onlookers are in awe at this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Three other elephants circulate the newborn and mother while making sounds. Ike Phaahla, SanParks spokesperson, says it is common for other elephants to surround a birthing mother.
Read More: How do you feel about animals having "human" names?
“Often cows will gather around the cow that is giving birth. It does excite a herd. There are benefits as when cows gather around like this it can limit predators like hyenas taking a chance trying to get to the placenta and afterbirth when they may injure a calf. Birth sightings are rare."
In other interesting facts, elephants have the longest pregnancy period of any living mammal. The Asian elephant has a gestation period of 18 to 22 months, while the African bush elephant has a period of 22 months.
Stay tuned for more. We will bring you the latest at East Coast Radio.
More on East Coast Radio:
Image courtesy of Facebook