I don’t know about you, but it’s very hot, especially in summer, and it can be very uncomfortable. We all know the importance of hydration. Even wild animals know the importance of getting plenty of H2O.
There is nothing quite like a photo taken during one’s stay on a private game reserve. An elephant in the desert heard the sound of splashing water and was probably attracted by the possibility of drinking.
©Donovan van Staden/Shutterstock.com
In a video posted by ViralHog on Youtube Shorts, a group of people relax in a swimming pool while on vacation. You can see a woman sitting by the pool and she looks back. Within seconds, we see a large ornate elephant coming around the corner.
Elephant populations in South Africa are growing, which coincides with more and more people interacting with them. They are completely safe to drink from salt water pools as long as they do not contain any chemicals. Since they are curious creatures, they will drink from any body of water within reach.
The people in the video heard that elephants don’t sweat when they’re hot, and likely got jealous. So they have to come up with creative ways to cool down. Elephants are known for their large, floppy ears. They help keep people cool by acting as heat sinks. To flap their ears and dissipate heat, elephants promote blood flow to certain areas.
Elephants use their ears to generate wind to cool their bodies. Elephants use mud and water to cool their bodies. Their skin helps them control their body temperature by retaining water and droppings. In addition to protecting them from the sun and bugs, the mud also acts as a sunscreen.
Many people have photographed the elephant coming to the pool and even taking a sip of water! Especially for this video, the comment area is quite popular. One wrote: “Why are they even allowed to build such a place in the middle of a forest that belongs to wild animals. Get out of there!” What do you think? Should sanctuaries be able to build swimming pools for visitors, or just preserve the natural surroundings of the area for wildlife?
While many people think it’s sad to see humans take over, if you’re sitting by the pool, it’s an amazing thing.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
