JUST ANOTHER DAY IN AFRICA

A friend sent me a link to the most astonishing photographs of elephants at Mfuwe Lodge, South Luanga National Park, Zambia. The lodge was unwittingly built on the herds migratory path to some wild mango trees on the property but the dozen or so elephants aren't going to let a little thing like that hinder them.

They lumber through the reception area at least twice a day for 4 weeks or so to feed on the mangos on the other side. Then for another 3 weeks they pop in for tea whenever they feel peckish. Apparently over the years they have become very relaxed and often explore the reception area. Everybody treats them with the utmost respect and no incidents have been reported to date!

"Wonky Tusks", a female elephant (above) who visits every year brings her babies along and passes down the knowledge of this picnic spot to the youngsters.

All photographs belong to Mfuwe Lodge. There are more photographs here.

"YOU CAN BUY MY HEART AND MY SOUL"

This sculpture/installation by Andries Botha touches my heart. It is called "You can buy my heart and my soul" and consists of 9 life sized elephants constructed of thousands of little wooden pieces, bolted onto metal frameworks.

Andries Botha who comes from my neck of the woods in KwaZulu Natal, enlisted the help of several traditional carvers to help construct the elephants. There is something about these elephants walking into the sea that effects me to the point of tears.

They were originally made for the Beaufort 2006 Art Project in Belgium and graced the beach at De Panne for 6 months. Imagine seeing a herd of elephants walking along a windsept beach and into the sea. An awesome sight!

They were moved to the Antwerp Zoo as part of the zoo's "Year of the Elephant" theme.

All the photographs above come from Botha's website. To see more go here.

This photograph is the property of http://www.hotels-belgium.com/

An interesting site for African Elephant facts here.