Renata Ewald, a wildlife photographer based in South Africa, recently captured a mesmerizing moment while observing a herd of elephants during a leisurely walk at Kruger National Park.
The remarkable scene unfolded as a female elephant, accompanied by her adorable calf and the rest of the herd, unintentionally revealed her mammary glands.
The 51-year-old Ms. Ewald expressed her astonishment, “I often visit Kruger, and this was a truly unique sight I had never seen before.”
The substantial breasts of the mother elephant came into view as her persistent calf sought some milk, causing her to stumble along the road.
Ms. Ewald, who kept a safe distance to appreciate the herd, remarked, “It was a genuinely astonishing sight, and I was lucky to capture the exact moment when her prominent ‘double D’ breasts were prominently displayed right before me.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by she-elephants, Ms. Ewald noted that their pregnancies endure for an impressive 640 days, and upon giving birth, their calves weigh around 250 pounds.
These dedicated mothers continue to provide nourishment through breastfeeding for about four years.
Highlighting the striking similarity between the mammary glands of female elephants and those of human females, Ms. Ewald stated, “Witnessing this resemblance was truly astonishing.”
The heartwarming photographs showcase the mother elephant leisurely walking with the herd, emphasizing the success of conservation efforts in South Africa, which has led to an elephant population of around 10,000 individuals.
Ms. Ewald hoped these images would foster a deeper appreciation for elephants, emphasizing their remarkable qualities.
“Elephants carry their babies for an astounding 21 months, and yet, they are mercilessly hunted for their ivory. It’s genuinely heartbreaking.”
“They are brilliant beings with robust family bonds,” she continued, “and they share many similarities with humans. Therefore, they merit the same level of respect and reverence.”
Like her mother, Renata Ewald captured these snapshots at Kruger National Park, including an image of the baby elephant nibbling on a small branch.
She also photographed young elephants engaging in playful tussling, highlighting the impressive abilities of an elephant’s trunk, equipped with 50,000 muscles, to detect underground water.
The photographs portray the elephants moving in harmony as a unified family consisting of an elder matriarch, her daughters, and their respective calves.
Male elephants, upon reaching sexual maturity, commonly form bachelor groups and live independently from the family herd.
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