I love it when nature throws a curve ball! Something that I don’t really understand or can’t fully explain. I had one of these moments this week when I watched a journey of over 40 Giraffe running around a clearing at Londolozi.
At first I intepretted the event as some kind of giraffe mating ritual; however the more I watched the more I started thinking that maybe, just maybe, they were gathering purely for the sake of a gathering. It sounds ridiculous but is it possible that they just wanted to have fun? They ran around in circles kicking up dust…joyful spirits dancing around. It was spectacular to watch…
I have been privileged enough to watch many special moments in the bush, but this rates among my best in terms of how unusual and unexpected it was. It was a real breathe of fresh air to watch these glorious creatures in such abundance and in full flight.
Over 40 Giraffe gather on Vomba Crest - Adam Bannister
I would love to hear from you if you have seen a simillar event take place and what your take on this behaviour is?
Written, filmed and photographed by Adam Bannister
![Kambula Pride Playing On Riverbank (6) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13085423/Kambula-Pride-playing-on-riverbank-6-RCB-280x178.jpg)
Remarkable, not only to see so many together but their behaviour too. Perhaps the unseasonal wind had something to do with it?
A big Giraffe party!
The guys in the pyjamas (zebras) just had to watch!!
I don’t know much about giraffes, but know a little about horses. Occasionally, especially if the weather is cool enough, horses can kick up their heels, run, buck and just have a good old time . No reason, just sheer joy of it.
I’ve watched a similiar thing with a big herd of buffalo, with them all running chasing each other in different directions, kicking their back legs in the air and about thirty different head-to-head, playful tussles going on. At the time it really did seem like they were just having fun?
Amazing! I have seen a gathering of elephants in Botswana but never of giraffes! Thank you for sharing this.
I love the two giraffe at the end of the video clip standing close together watching the activities.
I know they were fantastic weren’t they!
That was a cute moment!
Lovely account, Adam! Apparently, polar bears have been seen sliding down icy mounds seemingly for the pure joy of it. The Inuits of the Arctic and northern parts of Canada capture this behavior in stone carvings and paintings – often titled, “dancing bear”. Missing you all there!
Lovely to see. I have seen gatherings in large numbers but never with all the action.
I have to say – the fact that the collective term for group of giraffes is termed a tower when stationary, but a journey when on the move, has to be one of my favourite parts of the English language!
I actually wrote a fun blog post about giraffes, based on my findings from my recent trip to Botswana in December. I’d absolutely adore it if you were to check it out! paigingdoctor.com/giraffe-ic-park/