A determined baby elephant practices its charging abilities by chasing a flock of birds while its family enjoys a drink at a river in central Africa.
The elephant rushes through patches of thick mud and water to pursue a flock of ducks in Ippy, Central African Republic.
Gilles Moynot, a wildlife photographer, captures the moment when the elephant bends its front legs, lowers its head, raises its tail, and puffs out its ears.
While the calf is learning to charge, members of its family leisurely dip into the pools of water and wade through the mud.
Rather than looking fierce, the young elephant is adorable as it picks up speed and bounds across the mud.
The elephant is exhausted and looks around for a new target, which he then follows.
The calf seems unsure of what to do with its trunk as it charges across the water, dragging it through the puddles.
Elephants may charge towards any perceived threats when they feel they’re in danger, whether it’s to defend themselves and their family.
Mike Fay, a conservationist, has previously said that the easiest way for a human to react to an elephant charge is standing their ground and making a loud noise.
The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal, and its herds travel hundreds of miles across 37 countries in Africa.