Highlight of Sabah; A herd of pygmy elephants swimming across the wide deep river Kintabatangan in the setting sun. So incredibly beautiful to see these gentle creatures move so gracefully across the waves; the photos as usual speak louder than words-I can’t do justice to this wonderful experience.
One by one the herd of 80 plus emerged from the trees and edged their way slowly, but oh so gracefully, down the muddy river bank, sinking into the water until only their backs were visible. Then in they went to form an floating elephant ‘chain’.
As they swam their trunks arched out of the water, spraying fountains high into the air, then they dipped down again in their procession to the other side.
Trumpeting echoed through the forest as adults helped their young into the water, harsh cries calling from those already over encouraging the rest to take to the water.
Climbing out on the high bank was harder than going in, and the first to eventually make it up the muddy surface crashed loudly into the forest to carve out the trek.
Those following formed a ‘splashy’ chaotic ‘queue’, pushing one another up the steep sides to join their leaders, offering down their trunks to link the ‘chain’ onto dry land, gathering around to help the baby and the youngsters across in safety.
For over an hour Paul and I sat in our little boat in silence, the guide/boat driver as entranced as we were-this fantastic sight is even rarer than seeing the herd grazing on the banks! We’d already been on the water for hours watching them, and had been about to turn back in the setting sun when the mass crossing started-so incredibly fortunate to be just in the right place as the right time.
Once on the other side this herd will disappear for weeks as it will trek inland around the palm estates until it reaches the lake. The rainforest is home to many different herds but seeing them is unusual and seeing the swim is wonderful-everyone at the lodge we stayed in was so excited, by the time our boat returned news had got back and we were greeted with happy smiles by villagers so delighted for us!!
We’ve been staying in Sakau, on River Kintabatangan for three days and two nights, in a small guest house, dawn, sunset and night cruises each day in remote Northern Borneo, so much fantastic wildlife every day and every night.
One by one the herd of 80 plus emerged from the trees and edged their way slowly, but oh so gracefully, down the muddy river bank, sinking into the water until only their backs were visible. Then in they went to form an floating elephant ‘chain’.
As they swam their trunks arched out of the water, spraying fountains high into the air, then they dipped down again in their procession to the other side.
Trumpeting echoed through the forest as adults helped their young into the water, harsh cries calling from those already over encouraging the rest to take to the water.
Climbing out on the high bank was harder than going in, and the first to eventually make it up the muddy surface crashed loudly into the forest to carve out the trek.
Those following formed a ‘splashy’ chaotic ‘queue’, pushing one another up the steep sides to join their leaders, offering down their trunks to link the ‘chain’ onto dry land, gathering around to help the baby and the youngsters across in safety.
For over an hour Paul and I sat in our little boat in silence, the guide/boat driver as entranced as we were-this fantastic sight is even rarer than seeing the herd grazing on the banks! We’d already been on the water for hours watching them, and had been about to turn back in the setting sun when the mass crossing started-so incredibly fortunate to be just in the right place as the right time.
Once on the other side this herd will disappear for weeks as it will trek inland around the palm estates until it reaches the lake. The rainforest is home to many different herds but seeing them is unusual and seeing the swim is wonderful-everyone at the lodge we stayed in was so excited, by the time our boat returned news had got back and we were greeted with happy smiles by villagers so delighted for us!!
Leader of the Pack
Going In!!
Mother and babies: You can do it!
We’ve been staying in Sakau, on River Kintabatangan for three days and two nights, in a small guest house, dawn, sunset and night cruises each day in remote Northern Borneo, so much fantastic wildlife every day and every night.
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