Part of an ancient group of egg-laying monotreme #mammals, Attenborough Long-Beaked #Echidnas of #WestPapua are critically endangered. Fight for their survival when you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife via @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7Qj?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

Part of an ancient group of egg-laying monotreme #mammals, Attenborough Long-Beaked #Echidnas of #WestPapua are critically endangered. Fight for their survival when you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife via @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-7Qj?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

Old Elephant Bull Paying Respects at a Friend's Gravesite



This moment was among the most profoundly moving and memorable experiences of my life- yet it was so gentle, so quiet, had I been distracted I would have missed it.



The longer tale, if you are so inclined: I spent many days near a single watering hole on Hwange, Zimbabwe, where an elephant skeleton lay nearby. Many young elephant families passed through, without giving the bones much attention. But one day, an older bull elephant, walking slowly, stopped at the bones. His ears lowered and his trunk stooped in solemn reverence. He grazed the bones with his trunk and then massaged the skull for a very long time- elephants who mourn at the bones of their loved ones favour the skull, which I assume is more individual and recognizable. It was extremely hot, and other elephants, mothers with their babies and lone bulls- charged toward the watering hole, eager for a drink and a bath. The bull was surely hot and parched- but unrushed, every part of him connecting with the bones before him.



I asked a local, a former guide, if he knew who the elephant was who died. He was also an old bull, so old his last set of teeth had worn out completely, and he lived at the watering hole, soaking grasses to make them soft enough to eat. He died nearby of natural causes last year. This old bull, the visiting mourner, was very likely a good friend, maybe even a travelling companion.



There are detractors who say we can't know for certain that the behaviour at these boneyards really is mourning behaviour. I can't help but think that such detractors have never witnessed first hand the palpable emotions of a grieving elephant. #elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #animalsareamazing

Old Elephant Bull Paying Respects at a Friend's Gravesite



This moment was among the most profoundly moving and memorable experiences of my life- yet it was so gentle, so quiet, had I been distracted I would have missed it.



The longer tale, if you are so inclined: I spent many days near a single watering hole on Hwange, Zimbabwe, where an elephant skeleton lay nearby. Many young elephant families passed through, without giving the bones much attention. But one day, an older bull elephant, walking slowly, stopped at the bones. His ears lowered and his trunk stooped in solemn reverence. He grazed the bones with his trunk and then massaged the skull for a very long time- elephants who mourn at the bones of their loved ones favour the skull, which I assume is more individual and recognizable. It was extremely hot, and other elephants, mothers with their babies and lone bulls- charged toward the watering hole, eager for a drink and a bath. The bull was surely hot and parched- but unrushed, every part of him connecting with the bones before him.



I asked a local, a former guide, if he knew who the elephant was who died. He was also an old bull, so old his last set of teeth had worn out completely, and he lived at the watering hole, soaking grasses to make them soft enough to eat. He died nearby of natural causes last year. This old bull, the visiting mourner, was very likely a good friend, maybe even a travelling companion.



There are detractors who say we can't know for certain that the behaviour at these boneyards really is mourning behaviour. I can't help but think that such detractors have never witnessed first hand the palpable emotions of a grieving elephant. #elephant #africanelephant #Hwange #Hwangenationalpark #nature #natur #naturephotography #wildlifeprotection #wildlife #wildlifephotography #africa #zimbabwe #wildlifeconservation #nationalgeographic #natgeo #natgeonature #tierwelt #mammals #ethicalnaturephotography #conservation #animalsareamazing

Twitchy the baby #hedgehog is visiting tonight!

#nature #NaturePhotography#wildlife #mammals #hedgehogs #CuteAnimal

Hiding in plain sight. I almost missed it walking by

#nature #naturephotography #deer #mammals #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Hiding in plain sight. I almost missed it walking by

#nature #naturephotography #deer #mammals #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Eastern Cottontail stretching his legs for a bite to eat at Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Sanctuary.

#photography #mammals #sillyrabbit #nature #fairhaven #massachusetts #naturalmassachusetts #massachusettswildlife

Eastern Cottontail stretching his legs for a bite to eat at Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Sanctuary.

#photography #mammals #sillyrabbit #nature #fairhaven #massachusetts #naturalmassachusetts #massachusettswildlife

New research provides fresh evidence for killer whales' exceptional intelligence, documenting how these marine mammals use stalks of seaweed as tools to groom each other. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/25/world/science-health/killer-whales-seaweed-tools/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #sciencehealth #killerwhales #whales #oceans #mammals