Late Daily

From Near Extinction to a Joyful Comeback: 100 Elephants Celebrate with a Mud Bath Festival! 🐘🌍

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This heartwarming scene captures the triumphant return of the African bush elephant. Once nearly wiped out by hunters, a herd of more than 100 now frolic together in a muddy waterhole at Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Making a splash: Baby African bush elephants enjoy a soak at a watering hole in in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Among them are around 15 playful calves, splashing and tumbling under the watchful eyes of their mothers. In one touching moment, a baby struggles to climb out of the slippery mud before being gently helped by an adult. Trumpets, splashes, and playful shoves filled the air — the sound of survival turned celebration.

Glorious mud: Around 15 baby elephants make up the herd splashing around in the mud, with one calf taking a tumble as it tries to climb out of the waterhole

Less than a century ago, these elephants were driven to the brink. By 1919, relentless ivory hunting had reduced the population to just 13 individuals. Confined to the Addo bush, they teetered on the edge of extinction. But conservation efforts — and the creation of Addo Elephant National Park — saved them.
Back from the brink: The herd was almost hunted to extinction less than a century ago with only left a small number isolated in the dense Addo bush. This image was taken in Addo, South Africa in 1919

Today, thanks to dedicated protection and a program to restore their gene pool, the Addo elephants are thriving once again. Wildlife photographer and filmmaker Nic van Oudtshoorn, who captured these moments, described it as one of his most endearing experiences:

When the first Europeans settled at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa in 1652 there were thousands of elephants roaming free - but ivory hunters wiped most of them out

“The elephants charged straight into the water, trumpeting and rolling in the mud. The calves slipped, slid, and played, while the adults kept a careful watch. It was pure joy to witness — a symbol of resilience and hope.”

Bouncing back: These adorable scenes were captured on camera by professional photographer and documentary film maker, Nic van Oudtshoorn, from Sydney, Australia

After about 40 minutes of fun in the sun, the herd finally wandered off together — a living reminder that even on the brink of extinction, nature can rebound with breathtaking strength. 🌿✨

Play time: Two baby elephants were seen charging through the muddy water in the Addo Elephant National Park under the watchful eye of their parents

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The mass slaughter of elephants in the region eventually came to an end but at one stage only 13 of the animals were still alive

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A baby elephant splashes around playfully in the watering hole burying its trunk and covering itself in muddy water

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Communal bath: Mr Van Oudtshoorn said he could here the loud 'trumpeting, snorting and splashing' from about 200 yards away

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Helping hand: Adult elephants help a baby out of the watering hole after the herd had enjoyed splashing around in the mud

Helping hand: Adult elephants help a baby out of the watering hole after the herd had enjoyed splashing around in the mud

Fun in the sun: The elephants spent about 40 minutes squelching through the mud at this watering hole before walking off together