This is the moment an angry elephant used his trunk as a water cannon to drive the wild dogs away.
The moment was captured on camera by Jackie Badenhorst at the Welverdiend waterhole in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
The 37-year-old said the elephant was close to a waterhole when he noticed dogs surrounding him and decided to jump in.
Raising his trunk, the elephant paraded among the dogs to enjoy the drink.
Mrs. Badenhorst, from Pretoria, said: ‘My husband and I went to the waterhole and found a pack of wild dogs drinking.
‘As he got closer to the waterhole, he realized the dogs were there and immediately changed his posture and attitude, raising his head to appear larger and more intimidating.
‘He shook his head around a bit and made sure they knew who’s boss.’
‘Not long after we got there, a bull elephant came in the distance.
But when the naughty dogs didn’t scatter, the elephant started spraying water in their direction to make them more scared.
She said that after a while at the watering hole, the elephant was still harassed by dogs and decided to retreat to a more peaceful part of the savanna.
“The dogs are quite curious, almost playful, trying to see how close they can get, how far they could push him,” she said.
‘The elephant was really cranky and tried to spray water on approaching dogs – which they would nimbly dodge!
‘Then he ran towards them and shook his head, trumpeting. ”
She added: ‘He eventually decided to leave the area and try to find some peace and quiet.
‘The dogs continued to annoy a herd of buffaloes, kudus, and even trying to catch some jaguars for breakfast. It was exciting stuff!
‘I love wild dogs and elephants, so witnessing the interaction between the two species was special.’
Ms. Badenhorst started photographing wildlife while she was permanently living in the bush.
Despite moving back to Pretoria, she continues to photograph wildlife as much as she can.
“I am a registered field guide and have a serious passion for wildlife,” she said.
‘I started photographing wildlife when I was living in the bush many years ago.
‘Photography slowed down when I moved back to Pretoria but about five years ago I started getting back into it.’
That’s when she invested in some good gear and the ‘bug hit for good’ she said.
‘Now I go out into the bush as often as I can and the challenge to get a great shot keeps me coming back for more and more, it’s seriously addictive! ” she added.
‘I really enjoy the adventure of going to faraway places, the excitement of not knowing what you may see and photograph, and at the end of the day, spending time in nature is what it’s all about.’
