Baby elephants overjoyed to play in river

Baby elephants are simply adorable. They are clumsy and awkward, yet beautiful at the same time. These elephants and their mothers are crossing a river but they stop for some serious playtime as they do so. They are overjoyed to be bobbing and diving, completely submerging in the river. They bump and push each other playfully and they disappear under the surface, only to pop back up again.

The elephants are able too keep their trunks above the surface like a snorkel, breathing comfortably as the rest of them is completely under water. They also disappear completely at times, including their trunks. It's very likely that the weightlessness created by the water gives them a feeling of freedom, allowing them to move easily and gracefully, despite their enormous size and weight.

Elephants are very social creatures, living in herds that range in size from eight to one hundred, made up mainly of females and their young. Adult males become more solitary and will live on their own, or with a herd of females, but competition for breeding rights deters them from existing in close proximity with other adult males.

These elephants are Asian Elephants, often referred to as Indian Elephants. Very different in temperament and behavior, they closely resemble African Elephants in appearance. The most obvious difference is that Asian Elephants have much smaller ears than African Elephants do.

Elephants are commonly taken from the wild and raised in captivity due to their strength, making them ideal for physical labor, but such a practice is extremely inhumane and is being discouraged around the world. Similarly, using elephants for circus attractions or for riding on is also an extremely unethical practice. This subjects the animals to a very unnatural life, exposes them to potential abuse, and creates a complete lack of trust in human beings. With elephants being as intelligent as they are, and as social, keeping them in captivity for any reason other than conservation or rehabilitation is no longer acceptable. Poaching and habitat loss has created such a reduction in their populations that scientists and animal conservation facilities are working hard to restore elephant populations and assist them in living a protected life as they deserve.

Anyone wishing to see elephants close up can support sanctuaries and conservation centers, such as wilderness safaris, where elephants can exist naturally and without the confinement of zoos.

To see these beautiful and majestic creatures playing with each other and showing complete joy like this is heart warming. This is how wild animals should be!