In the bush, we often fall into the trap of looking for the “perfect” moment—the pristine lion on a rock or the elephant silhouette against a sunset. But if you spend enough time out here, you realise the real story is usually found in the imperfections. It’s in the limbs, the scars, and the messy process of a youngster just trying to figure out how their own body works.
On a recent, heavy-aired afternoon, we found ourselves following a herd of elephants that were more focused on seeking out anything edible than anything else. While the adults moved with an ancient, calculated efficiency, the calves were another story entirely.
Watching an elephant calf is essentially watching a real-time calibration error. With roughly 40,000 muscles in their trunks and zero instructions on how to use them, they are the definition of “all gear and no idea.” It’s a quirky, humorous reminder that even for the giants of the Sabi Sands, survival starts with a steep learning curve.
But as we moved toward the Sand River, the tone shifted from the physics of play to the economics of survival.
We were elated to find the Tsalala Female resting on a sandbank—a ghost of the river who seems to be making a welcome return to Londolozi soil. However, she isn’t the only one navigating the river’s shifting borders.
We end off catching up with the Nhlanguleni Female. She was antsy, sporting a fresh limp and several superficial scratches. In the wild, territory isn’t a static line on a map; it’s a constant negotiation. With the Ngungwe Female pushing further into this sector, the “predator’s tax” is being collected in real-time. Nhlanguleni had a kill hoisted nearby, but she wasn’t eating. She was calculating.
From the 40,000 muscles of a calf’s trunk to the scars earned in a territorial dispute, this safari was a reminder that every square inch of this landscape has a price tag.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
To Subscribe to YouTube Channel, click here.
Initially skittish female who transformed into a regular presence. Made history by raising first intact litter since her own generation.
40,000 muscles in the trunk, that’s astonishing! I assume mastering control over them is a very gradual process, but roughly how long does it take?
Correct, the mastering is not an overnight download, the short answer is that it takes more than a year to really get a grasp of how their trunks work. From about a year old they are able to pick up a marula fruit, adequately suck up water to drink.
It’s really a tough life in the bush, especially for leopards, I think. The Nhlanguleni Female had about 14 cubs she lost and two who became adults and have their own cubs. This is really hard. Do you think she might have another litter at her age of 14?
Anyway, it’s nice to know that she is still there and can be seen.
I hope that the Tsalala lioness will be more successful with cubs soon.
And I loved your video of all those elephants, great and small, playing with or using these astonishing number of muscles in their trunks.
Great video, Sean.
Life in the wild is relentless. I am hopeful that the Nhlanguleni Female will have another litter of cubs.
Thank you so much, Christa. I am glad you enjoyed the video.
Hi Sean, such a cutie pie that little elephant calf trying to keep up with Mom. Shame it is going to take a while for the little one to know how to use its trunk. Having 40 000 muscles and he and can’t figure it out,must be so frustrating for the calf. Complex and absolutely incredible the ability to slurp up water, tear leaves off branches and squirt water all over themselves to cool off. Amazing animal and it’s trunk. So excited to see the Tsalala female back on Londolozi again. Hope she is pregnant, as she was seen mating with the Gijima males. Sorry to see the Nhlanguleni female hurt and being confronted by the Ngungwe female. Territory on Londolozi has it’s own way of paying rent I suppose.
Watching young elephants fascinates me as they try work out how to use their trunks.
We are all hoping that the Tsalala Female is pregnant and decides to have her cubs on Londolozi this time round.
This is a wonderful video to begin 2026 showcasing a few of our favorites – baby elephants trying to manage their flailing trunks, the remarkable and resilient Tsalala female and one of the grand dames in the female leopard community, Nhlanguleni – all trying to live their best lives in an environment that is always testing their ability to survive. Further to surviving, has there been any word or sighting of the Mashaba female. I last read she was spending most of her time at your neighbors to the south, but they’ve not reported a sighting for a few months. Love the new hat!
Thank you so much, Denise. We have not heard anything about Mashaba in a few months, but I will reach out and try find out.
Hi Sean, how funny all those elephants bathing and the irresistible calves! The Tsalala female is a so welcome view! But, I must say, the Nhlanguleni female is a leopard I have so much at heart. It seems she never healed from her past limp, could it be that? She doesn’t seem in bad conditions at all anyway. Always so beautiful and elegant. She has a wonderful green eye colour. Just a msstrwork. She’s 15, yes, another year passed… but she looks definitely good. Hope you will find the Mashaba female one day….
There is something so intriguing about sitting with elephants and just taking it all in.
The Nhlanguleni Female’s limp could have something to do with her old injury, but she had a lot of gashes and cuts all over, so I presumed that this was all new injuries from an altercation. Hopefully, we see Mashaba one last time.