In the scorching heat of Melbourne’s relentless summer, an unusual scene unfolded at the city’s zoo – a seven-day-old baby elephant was about to embark on his first swimming adventure. Born just a week ago at the Melbourne Zoo, the unnamed Asian baby elephant was already making waves, literally, in the enclosure.
Oh baby: Num-Oi checks her calf is all right when he loses his footing to receive a full dunking
As the temperature soared to a staggering 35°C, the baby elephant and his mother, Num-Oi, eagerly approached the pool in their enclosure. The decision to refill the pool had been made once the little one demonstrated the ability to stand on his own. The owners wanted to provide a refreshing escape for the elephants from the sweltering heat, and what better way than a cool dip in the water.
New experience: The calf stays close to mum as they venture into the water
Num-Oi, the experienced mother, effortlessly navigated the shallow waters, leading her curious calf into the pool. The baby elephant, not yet officially named but affectionately nicknamed ‘Dougie’ after his favorite pastime of digging in the dirt, seemed both excited and a bit unsure about this new experience.
Cool dude: The calf looks as though he is smiling as he confidently strides through the water
The images captured the sheer joy of the moment as the calf confidently strode through the water, his trunk occasionally reaching out to touch his mother for reassurance. However, the water level presented a challenge for the young adventurer. In one heart-stopping moment, he lost his footing and found himself completely submerged, relying on his mother’s trunk for support.
Going down: The calf is heading for full submersion as he cools off in the extreme heat
Despite the initial hiccup, the young pachyderm wasn’t deterred. With temperatures soaring, the water provided a welcome respite for both mother and calf. As the baby elephant rolled over, his feet aloft, it was clear that this escapade was not just a cooling-off session but a playful exploration of a new medium.
Touching base: The calf’s feet are aloft as he rolls over during the hottest heatwave on record for Australia
Keepers marveled at Num-Oi’s natural and attentive mothering skills. After enduring a 22-month pregnancy and a four-day labor, her complete joy, a 131kg bundle of energy, arrived safely and was up on his feet within minutes. The zookeepers observed that Num-Oi, a first-time mother, was proving to be a natural at the parenting game.
Down but not out: The calf gets to grips with a new medium as he goes to stand up, trunk outstretched
Fruity snack: Mother keeps her strength up with a watermelon as she shades her calf
As the heatwave continued to grip Australia, the baby elephant’s swimming adventure became a heartwarming story amid the challenging weather conditions. The images of the elephants side-by-side, tails swishing, and the playful calf making a splash in the pond, created a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the extreme heat.
He’s on his way: The calf makes a splash as he loses his footing in the enclosure’s pond
Knee deep: Chance to cool off in the heat
Time to play: The elephants set off for the pool side-by-side, their tails swishing
In the midst of record-breaking temperatures in Sydney, where the mercury touched 45.8°C, the elephants’ refreshing poolside rendezvous offered a momentary escape from the searing heat. As mother and son cooled off, sharing a fruity snack, the baby elephant’s resilient spirit and his reliance on his mother’s trunk painted a touching narrative of survival and joy in the face of challenging circumstances. The calf’s adventure in the water became a symbol of resilience, reminding us all that even in the hottest of times, there’s always room for a refreshing dip and a trunk to lean on.