Young elephant swimming and taking a mud bath in Zimbabwe

Young Elephant exiting a Mud Bath

Kanga Pan, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

The average adult elephant drinks about 40 to 60 gallons a day. In times of drought elephants must migrate to areas where water is more plentiful. The excitement is palpable as an elephant heard reaches a water source. Many begin trotting to speed up their pace. They drink by pulling water into their trunks then squirting it into their mouths 1-2 gallons at a time. If enough water is available, they will spray it over their backs with their trunks to help stay cool. This can be followed by a mud bath for additional cooling and to protect its skin from the sun and parasites. The young seem to enjoy it the most, frolicking and splashing about in the water

Kanga Pan in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is a popular drinking spot as it's the only permanent water source within a 20km radius. This park has been ravaged by drought in recent years and water pumped into the pan from deep boreholes has been lifesaving for many animals. Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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