The group of tourists were on an African safari, so they were excited to see animals.
The opportunity came when they saw a herd of elephants crossing the road ahead.
Some people got their cameras out and watched as a baby elephant turned over to look at
them.
There are a lot of safari tours in African countries, and many people dream of going
on one at some point in their life.
These days, the safaris are mostly for animal lovers to peacefully observe nature while
taking a break from the busy world.
Historically, however, they used to have completely different purposes.
If you're taking a safari, you'll mainly come across big game hunters who want to hunt exotic
animals such as lions, elephants and giraffes.
Owning animals such as lions, cheetahs and zebras is less popular today as people frown
upon the practice.
It is not completely illegal but attitudes towards it are against the custom.
For example, in early July of 2015 a dentist named Walter Palmer shot and killed a lion
from Southern Africa in one of the nation's national parks, the lion's name was Cecil.
Not only was he a park attraction, but the university of Oxford was also studying him.
Cecil died the next day and the internet widely condemned Palmer for his actions.
Zimbabwe authorities stated that the dentist hadn't acted illegally.
However, the U.S fish and wildlife service classified lions from central and Western
Africa and from India, Africa as endangered species shortly after Cecil's death.
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Now, back to the story.
Elephants or another animal under threat from humans who hunt the majestic animals for their
tusks.
Ivory the substance that elephant tusks are made of is a valuable material on the black
market.
Craftspeople, use it to create white jewellery and decorations.
As a result of threats to their numbers, Governments protect elephants by law in a lot of countries.
However, poachers haven't stopped hunting them down for profit.
And there's an extra element of sadness to the elephant’s plight.
Animal abuse is heart-breaking in any situation, but it's even more so in the case of intelligent
creatures.
African elephants meet that criterion due to the advanced neocortex in their brains.
The same development is evident in apes, some types of dolphin and humans.
But an elephant's brain size isn't the only trait they share with humans.
They also have a wide range of recognizable emotions.
Researchers have observed them using tools, playing with each other, displaying a sense
of humor and even grieving for their dead.
Catching incredible moments of elephant emotion on camera is one of the joys of safari.
A tourist did just that in winter 2009 and the adorable footage went viral.
It began when the camera person decided to spend the cold festive period in beautiful
warm Africa.
The group were passing along a dirt road with a watering hole close by when they saw something
amazing.
A troupe of elephants walked right across the road in front of them.
One of the tourists, grabbed their camera and caught the event on film.
Apparently seven elephants crossed the dirt path, but the video only shows three, two
babies and an adult.
However, the footage reveals an incredible moment with the smallest and presumably the
youngest elephant.
As they walk past the baby notices it's audience.
The little calf seems transfixed by the tourists and slows its pace to stare at them.
It almost stops, but then something takes hold of it.
For the briefest second, it stops stock still.
Is there something wrong with the baby?
Suddenly the calf starts to shake, like there's a current running all the way through it.
Its body trembles uncontrollably.
It's trunk twitching as it does so.
The changes occurring even affect its ears, which pull back and surprise.
A few seconds later, the baby elephant sneezes through its tiny trunk with the cutest Husky
trumpet sound.
Perhaps the dust kicked up by the dirt trail, got into its nose and irritated it, whatever
the cause it alarms the baby.
The calf is spooked by its reaction running after the adult elephant as a result.
But the human onlookers find the innocent creature’s response both heart melting and
entertaining.
They can't help bursting with laughter as the baby dashes off.
When it catches up with its troop, the elephant shows its shy side hiding behind its parent.
The adult elephant stops at the roadside, seemingly oblivious to the tourists.
For their part the onlooker’s laughter continues while they discuss what they've just seen.
“Please tell me someone got that on video.”
One of the tourists asks the group, as another says that, “she did”.
The rest can't get over the sweet baby elephant.
You can hear a woman cooing, “Oh my gosh!”
in the background.
The safari group, weren't the only ones who found the little calf irresistible either.
Social media users have viewed the video 1,676,365 times on Rumble, since its original upload.
In addition, it has 12,000 likes and it's easy to see why!
Elephants are wonderful creatures and as a keystone species, they are integral to the
environment.
Unfortunately, between habitat loss, human conflict and poaching, they're also very vulnerable.
If you want to do your part to save these intelligent creatures, visit savetheelephants.org
to see how you can help.
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and family.
Thanks again.
And we'll see you in the next one.