In the Addo Elephant National Park in Sᴏᴜᴛʜ Aғʀɪᴄᴀ, two male elephants engaged in combat over a small watering hole. The bulls, who were already in musth and ʜᴜɴᴛing for female mates, became considerably more hostile during Sᴏᴜᴛʜ Aғʀɪᴄᴀ’s prolonged drought due to their desperate search for water.
When the conflict started, the other animals who were tensely waiting at Carol’s Rest watering hole hurriedly dispersed. A lot of dust was created when the two elephants charged and pushed one another.
Physiotherapist Bessie Vermeulen from Bloemfontein, Sᴏᴜᴛʜ Aғʀɪᴄᴀ, caught the altercation on tape. According to Bessie, when she was in the park, she saw that these elephants were acting differently. They were keeping watch over Carol’s Rest, a little watering hole, and driving any intruders away. They typically didn’t mind sharing and getting along with other animals.
Warthogs and zebras were being chased away by elephants. Compared to the warthogs that would wriggle their way inside to grab a drink, the zebras appeared to be more timid. The animals all seemed restless and disturbed.
The zebras continued to hang out on the edges, waiting for a drink, until eventually there were only a few bulls remaining. The male zebras suddenly displayed signs of concern and leaped to their feet as if they had sensed soᴍᴇᴛʜing and then the two bulls engaged in combat.
They were shoving and shoving, creating a mess of dust. A bull was defeated and departed the waterhole in a minute. Bessie assumed that the severe drought and the bulls’ musth were the causes of the conflict. Fortunately, no other animals were involved in the conflict.