Any parent who has watched their baby learning to walk will know it takes time and patience to master. That is, unless you’re an elephant.
WWF has shared a charming video of a newborn elephant in Botswana learning to stand and start walking – something they can do within an hour of being born.
“A newborn that can’t keep up won’t survive – so they must master the ability to stand, find their balance, and walk within their very first hour of life (all 120kg of them!),” says Tanya Smith, WWF Senior Programme Advisor (Africa). “This is a unique skill compared to many other mammals - orangutans take months to get there, and humans about a year!”
In the footage, the little elephant rises awkwardly, legs akimbo and wobbling like jelly.
In a touching gesture, the mother places her trunk under the baby’s body to help steady it as it trembles to its unsteady feet and takes its first tottering steps.
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Within days, it will be able to keep up with the rest of the herd as they roam the savannah looking for food. Being able to stay with the group is vital for the little one’s survival, which is why they learn to walk so quickly.
Although humans might not be able to master such an important skill in just 60 minutes, they can still make a difference. On the 20th anniversary of Earth Hour (28 March), WWF is asking people to 'switch off' for one hour.
Meanwhile, nature will continue its extraordinary work.
Image and video credit: martinharvery / Pond5
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