Sierra Blogging Post Archives

This is the fourth post in an ongoing series showcasing STP customer Ray Boyd’s September 2007 African safari in Tanzania.

According to Ray Boyd, the king of the jungle is the elephant, not the lion. The mighty African elephant, weighing 4 - 8 tons, is a force to be reckoned with. Although sweet-looking from afar, an elephant will take out anything in its path if provoked. In Africa, the animals have the right of way -- so it's up to you to stay out of it.




Female elephants stick together in herds their entire lives. Male elephants, or bulls, are quite the opposite. They leave the herd when they become adolescents, only returning to a herd now and then to breed. Males play no part in caring for the young.

There are three generations of female elephants in this photo -- a baby, an adolescent, and an elder. Isn't that a beautiful shot? This baby elephant is just learning how to handle his trunk -- it takes a lot of practice, but once mastered, will help the little guy eat, drink, smell, defend himself, and grab things.

This elephant herd has come to the riverbed to drink, but it's not looking very promising. Unfortunately, drought is quite common in Africa. Hopefully the spring rains will replenish the river and provide water for the millions of animals that depend upon it.