With his mother’s help, the newborn elephant made a fortuitous escape when a crocodile tried to bite off his trunk.

A crocodile emerged from the water and snatched the trunk of a baby elephant that was swimming around the deep end of a drinking hole in the African forest.
Trunking and snorting, the herd mates stared in amazement as they battled to protect the defenseless little calf from the threat.

The young elephant overwhelmed the scared crocodile and tumbled back to avoid the danger, forcing it back into the murky water.

Francois Borman’s camera was used to take the amazing pictures by Mana Pools in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley.”This is the last thing I imagined seeing! I was out in the jungle for several hours hoping for some activity,” he exclaimed.

As the baby elephant struggled to break free from the crocodile’s grasp, his mother sprang into action, trumpeting loudly and charging towards the predator. With a powerful swing of her trunk, she managed to knock the crocodile off balance, causing it to release its grip on her precious calf.

The herd quickly surrounded the baby, forming a protective barrier as the mother checked him over for any injuries. Miraculously, other than a few minor scrapes and bruises, the little elephant was unharmed.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the wild, even for the largest of creatures. Despite their size and strength, elephants are not immune to attacks from predators like crocodiles. It also demonstrated the incredible bond between mother and child, as the mother elephant risked her own life to save her baby.

After the ordeal, the herd stayed close together, keeping a watchful eye on the waterhole for any signs of danger. The baby elephant, shaken but resilient, eventually plucked up the courage to approach the water again, this time staying well clear of the edge.

The pictures captured by Francois Borman quickly went viral, capturing the hearts of people around the world. Many were moved by the bravery and determination of the baby elephant and his mother, as well as the incredible bond shared by the herd.

The incident also sparked a conversation about conservation efforts and the importance of protecting vulnerable species like elephants from threats in their natural habitats. It served as a reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the need for humans to coexist peacefully with wildlife.

In the end, the baby elephant’s close call with the crocodile served as a powerful lesson in survival and the strength of family bonds in the animal kingdom. It was a heart-stopping moment that will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it.