This is the time of year for baby animals. Baboons, monkeys, impalas, puku, warthogs, and especially elephants.

This little one was only a few hours old. The mother’s legs were still covered in blood and he was very shaky on his own legs. We struggled to get a shot of him since he was so well protected in amongst the legs of his family, but occasionally we could spot him clearly.

Strangely, baby elephants are just as likely to die in their early days as the young of other animals – not something that you would necessarily expect. The rate of infant mortality is much higher if the calf is born to a young female, who lacks the experience to care for the calf. The matriarch will offer guidance but can’t care for the calf herself.

Let’s keep fingers crossed for this little one.