Addo wouldn’t be Addo without the elephants…

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Last week I had the pleasure of a quick visit to the Addo Elephant National Park, and of course the Park’s star attractions delivered wonderful performances! Every herd had the tiniest and cutest of babies in attendance, and the massive aggregation of literally hundreds of elephants milling around Hapoor Dam is a spectacle I will never forget.

A lone bull drinking from the trough at Peasland
A lone bull drinking from the trough at Peasland
Protective cow at Lismore waterhole
Elephant family at Lismore waterhole
Calf suckling at Marion Baree waterhole
Big herd drinking at Spekboom
Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom
Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom
Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom
Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom
Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom
Enormous aggregation of elephants at Hapoor
Enormous aggregation of elephants at Hapoor
Enormous aggregation of elephants at Hapoor
Jackal facing up to an elephant family at Hapoor
Elephant interaction at Hapoor
Young bull walking to his drinking spot at Hapoor
Dominant bull striding up to welcome a newly arrived family group at Hapoor
Very thirsty calf running for the water
Another herd of elephants arriving at Hapoor
Three sisters walking away from Hapoor Dam
Time for a bath at Hapoor
Elephants everywhere you look (Hapoor)
More cows and calves at Hapoor
More cows and calves at Hapoor
The next day, as we passed Hapoor, the elephants were getting together again
The next day, as we passed Hapoor, the elephants were getting together again
Big bull standing tall at Lismore waterhole

 

41 thoughts on “Addo wouldn’t be Addo without the elephants…”

  1. Pingback: Addo’s Diversity | de Wets Wild

  7. petrujviljoen

    I remember a visit to the Kruger when I first moved to this area, after too many very long years in Johannesburg where all one thinks of is putting one foot in front of another. We were lucky to have come across some elephants. The sight was so amazing I burst into tears! Later we sat at the enclosure at Panic Lake. A hippo came rising up from the water without us knowing it was there. Not being used to such things (please heavens may I never get used to it), I very nearly lost it! I got so full of emotion I had to go and have a cigarette before I could cope further!

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      We can certainly relate to your sentiments, Petru. That’s just one of the reasons why protecting the few remaining wild places, and the animals and plants that live there, is so vitally important.

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Is dit nie n wonderlike gedagte nie, AJ! Sover is daar van oorbevolking geen sprake nie – Addo Olifant Park is deesdae baie groter as wat jy haar sal onthou en die spekbome groei nog net so ruig.

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      I just realised again how lucky the people of PE and surrounds are to have a jewel like Addo almost on your doorstep, Adrian, even as I was there for only 24 hours this trip and occupied in meetings for much of the time.

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    2. petrujviljoen

      Hope De Wet doesn’t mind me butting in here Janet, been meaning for a while to say hallo. We met on Friday Fictioneers. In the once or twice I took part recently I didn’t see your work there.

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      1. sustainabilitea

        It’s great to hear from you! I haven’t been doing FF for quite some time. I just ran out of time and energy for reading so many stories and I’ve been doing more photography along with just my own writing, although not fiction. Thanks so much for taking time to say hello and I hope all’s well with you and yours!

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Thanks Amy! The water at Hapoor is supplied by the park management from boreholes. Due to the prevailing drought there’s little to no naturally occurring water elsewhere in the Park, and that’s why the elephants congregate around these man-made sources.

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