As temperatures soared this week, Whipsnade Zoo’s tiny three-week-old Asian elephant calf has been learning from his herd the best way to keep cool.
Photos taken by Whipsnade Zoo member Chris Ballard show the pint-sized pachyderm being bathed in dust by mum Donna – an elephant’s way to beat the heat. ‘Dust bathing’ provides a natural suncream to protect an elephant’s skin from the sun’s rays and helps to regulate body temperature – as well as being a family bonding activity.
The newest addition to the herd proved himself to be a quick learner and was seen kicking up the dust himself, and while not quite as deft as mum yet, his self-applied sandy headband demonstrates how elephants work together to share knowledge, skills and in this case, even hot-weather hacks.
The conservation zoo is asking elephant lovers to help name the calf, who was born on 8 June, by donating to enter a prize draw. The winner will get the opportunity to pick his name from a shortlist, join Whipsnade’s expert elephant keepers for a morning caring for the herd, and enjoy an overnight stay in the lodges at the UK’s largest zoo.
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