Elephants at Play

I captured this fascinating video of the elephants at play at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park yesterday. This is the most active I have ever seen the elephants there and the first time I have caught them playing in the water.

Watching the video you realize just how important tender touch is to these giant animals. And while it seems like playtime in the pool, you also realize that it's serious stuff all that pushing and shoving, really designed to show who is the boss. Once the big bull enters the pool, the younger and smaller elephants take the first opportunity possible to exit the pool and leave it to their older brother to play with dad. What a great opportunity and lucky chance it was to be there for this display.