... chance that the little calf lived to tell the tale. In the herds that roam Savuti and Linyanti we occasionally see young elephants with a disfigured trunk or missing tail, and they are probably survivors of a similar attack. While a fully fit adult elephant is unlikely to succumb to predation, a calf is a different matter and is very vulnerable in its first two years. By regularly hunting young elephants, the spotted hyaenas of Savuti demonstrate their adaptability – and their boldness in the face of the adults’ counterattacks.
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Image Captions
TOP: She vents her anger in no uncertain terms, but even as she does so, one of the hyaenas is preparing to attack again.
BOTTOM: The mother’s spirited defence, with the support of the other elephants, seems to persuade the hyaenas to seek a meal elsewhere.
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