In a remarkable display of parental instinct, an elephant fearlessly charged a group of hyenas attempting to attack its vulnerable calf.
47-year-old American photographer Jayesh Mehta documented the captivating scene in the Savuti region of Botswana’s Chobe National Park.
Mehta recounted the experience, explaining that the sounds of distressed elephants led him and his team off the beaten track, where they discovered a pack of 12-14 hyenas pursuing a small herd of eight elephants.
The herd consisted of two adult females, a few teenagers, and a days-old calf that had already sustained injuries.
As the elephants raced through the bush, the calf remained close to its mother, with the other elephants forming a protective circle around it during rest stops.
Despite their efforts, the persistent hyenas continued to dart in and bite the calf, especially its hindquarters.
The hyenas used a strategic approach, with some distracting the more enormous elephants while others attempted to snatch the calf.
The adult elephants swung their trunks aggressively at the attackers but did not cause them any harm.
Mehta and his team followed the dramatic chase safely, avoiding interference in this natural struggle. After nearly an hour, the elephants finally managed to shake off the hyenas and escape.
Mehta described the unforgettable encounter as thrilling, filled with the sounds of the animals, the rough ride through the bush, and the dust kicked up by the elephants to conceal their location.
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