While the African elephant lives nearly 6,000 miles away from Scotland, one playful pachyderm in Botswana seemed to have taken a cue from the Loch Ness Monster.
The elephant was photographed frolicking in a river, raising its trunk above the water like the legendary Nessie in the famous 1934 photo.
Although the elephant’s head and tusks soon surfaced, revealing its identity, the image reminded many of the 1934 sightings by Dr. Kenneth Wilson. Wilson claimed to have seen and photographed Nessie while observing Loch Ness.
The original: The elephant’s river antics produced pictures reminiscent of this 1934 photo of a possible Nessie sighting in Loch Ness. Source: Maclaurin Comm LTD
The elephant, seeking relief from the scorching African sun, cooled off in the Chobe River, splashing with other elephants before fully submerging and using its trunk as a snorkel. French photographers Laurent Renaud and Dominique Haution captured the delightful scene.
According to Haution, the elephant bathed for about 20 minutes, playfully tossing itself around like a young calf.
Botswana is known for having the largest elephant population in Africa, with the Chobe River supporting up to 50,000 elephants during the dry season when water sources in the hinterland have dried up.
African Nessie: An African elephant was spotted doing an uncanny impersonation of the Loch Ness Monster in Botswana’s Chobe River. Source: Caters News
Vanishing act: After using his trunk as a snorkel, the elephant then sank further underwater so that only his tusk was visible. Source: Caters News
Snorkelling: The animal enjoyed a cooling swim in the Chobe River in Botswana – using his trunk to breathe while underwater. Source: Caters News
The area’s remoteness and strict anti-poaching measures have allowed the elephant population in Botswana to thrive.
Given the game away: The elephant eventually reappeared, dispelling any rumors of the Loch Ness Monster having an African cousin. Source: Caters News
Cooling bathe: The animal joined other elephants in the river, who were swimming to cool themselves down in the blistering African heat. Source: Caters News
Making a splash: Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa, with the Chobe River supporting up to 50,000 in the dry season. Source: Caters News
The elephant of surprise: The relative difficulty in accessing the wildlife areas coupled with the military threat to poachers has allowed the elephant population in Botswana to grow. Source: Caters News
Nose-dive: The heartwarming pictures were taken by French photographers Laurent Renaud and Dominique Haution. Source: Caters News
Enjoying a swim: Dominique said, ‘The elephant waded into the water and immediately went under. It was so funny when it put its trunk up in the air as the snorkel’. Source: Caters News
Setting an example: Botswana appears to be leading the way in the battle to preserve the continent’s elephants. Source: Caters News