He may live nearly 6,000 miles away – but it seems even this African elephant has heard the tales of the Loch Ness Monster.
The animal is playing in a river in Botswana – and at one point, it raised its body above the water in a scene reminiscent of the famous 1934 photograph of Nessie.
The naughty elephant soon gave up the game when his huge head and tusks emerged from the water.
African Nessie: An African elephant was spotted doing an uncanny impersonation of the Loch Ness Monster in Botswana’s Chobe RiverThe original: The elephant’s river antics produced pictures reminiscent of this 1934 photo of a possible Nessie sighting in the Loch NessThe original: The elephant’s river antics produced pictures reminiscent of this 1934 photo of a possible Nessie sighting in the Loch Ness
The 1934 Nessie sighting was made by Dr. Kenneth Wilson – who claimed he was looking into the lake when he saw the monster, so he grabbed his camera and took four pictures.
The latest Nessie-impersonator was cooling off in the Chobe River to escape the sweltering African heat.
After splashing and frolicking in the water with the other elephants, he decided to dive in while using his trunk as a snorkel.
The touching photos were taken by French photographers Laurent Renaud, 57, and Dominique Haution, 56, in Botswana.
Dominique said: ‘The elephant waded into the water and went under right away. It was funny when he lifted his body into the air like a snorkel.
‘He took a shower for about 20 minutes. He was tossing around like a calf – how cute he was! ‘
Botswana is known for having the highest elephant population in Africa, with the Chobe River supporting up to 50,000 in the dry season when the water in the hinterland had dried up.
The relative difficulty of accessing wildlife areas coupled with the military threat to p.oa.chers have allowed the elephant population in Botswana to increase.
Vanishing act: After using his trunk as a snorkel, the elephant then sunk further underwater so that only his tusk was visibleSnorkelling: The animal enjoyed a cooling swim in the Chobe River in Botswana – using his trunk to breathe while underwaterSnorkelling: The animal enjoyed a cooling swim in the Chobe River in Botswana – using his trunk to breathe while underwaterGiven the game away: The elephant eventually reappeared, dispelling any rumours of the Loch Ness Monster having an African cousinMaking a splash: Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa, with the Chobe River supporting up to 50,000 in the dry seasonThe elephant of surprise: The relative difficulty in accessing the wildlife areas coupled with the military threat to poachers has allowed the elephant population in Botswana to growNose-dive: The heartwarming pictures were taken by French photographers Laurent Renaud and Dominique HautionEnjoying a swim: Dominique said ‘The elephant waded into the water and immediately went under. It was so funny when it put its trunk up in the air as the snorkel’Setting an example: Botswana appears to be leading the way in the battle to preserve the continent’s elephants
