In Photos: African Elephants
African elephants are even larger than there Asian relatives, and are the largest land animal alive today.

-
Kilimanjaro
Under the watchful eye of Kilimanjaro, the white cattle egrets hitch a lift on the backs of a herd of elephants. The egrets will pick off any parasites, cleaning the elephants in return for a quick morsel.
-
Family Group
Led by a dominant matriarchal female, elephant herds cover great distances to waterholes and feeding spots. The matriarch has a keen sense of direction and her knowledge is passed down to her extended family.
-
Skin
African elephants have very thick, wrinkled hide which protects them from wayward tusks, parasites and the beating sun.
-
Mother and Baby
Elephant mothers are extremely attentive. The bond is some times so strong that mothers will refuse to leave their deceased offspring for days.
-
Red Elephant
In the absense of water African elephants will throw dust over themselves in order to cool off. This sometimes gives them a red tinge depending on the colour of the soil.