A daring elephant at Mfuwe Lodge in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, recently stunned onlookers by scaling a 1.5-meter wall in pursuit of delicious mangoes.
The incredible feat was captured by a young man from Lancashire, adding an unexpected twist to the typical safari experience.
The incident unfolded as visitors departed for their afternoon safari on a Saturday. Ian Salisbury, the lodge’s general manager, observed the adult male elephant planning its strategy to navigate the stone wall without losing balance.
In a series of amusing photographs, the colossal creature displayed surprising agility, swinging its legs over the wall much like a human.
The lodge’s owner, Andy Hogg, captured a brief but fruitless video of the massive creature searching for snacks.
The camp, which usually hosts a family of elephants from October to mid-December, received an unexpected visitor. Unfortunately, the elephant’s quest for mangoes was in vain, as they were out of season.
Ian Salisbury, originally from Bacup, Lancashire, shared his amusement, stating, “He simply chose the most direct route and made himself right at home.
The guests found it highly entertaining to witness an elephant attempting to climb. They were astonished that it would go to the trouble of scaling such a tall wall.”
As the giant creature explored the camp, Ian noted, “He was a stranger to us. He seemed interested and aimed to reach the central area with a large mango tree.”
The lodge typically attracts elephants in early winter, but they usually follow a paved path rather than scaling walls.
Impressively, the adventurous elephant’s climb was coordinated and graceful, considering its substantial size—estimated to be around 30 years old.
Ian suggested that recent unusually wet weather might have prompted the elephant to detour and avoid potential floods.
Reflecting on the incident, Ian remarked, “It was impressive to witness how he coordinated his four legs to scale the wall, especially considering that the elephant was a substantial bull, probably around 30 years old, in his middle age.”
The elephant’s curiosity and daring climb added a touch of wonder to the safari experience, showcasing these majestic creatures’ remarkable intelligence and adaptability.
