An elephant in South Africa’s Kruger National Park was spotted keeping cool in a creative way—by throwing dust and sand over itself.
Wildlife photographer Richard du Toit, 54, captured the unique moment while visiting the park, where temperatures were expected to reach 38°C over the weekend.
Du Toit followed the adult male elephant as it strolled through the park, pausing to scuff the ground and create a thick cloud of sand before covering itself with dust.
Prepared to capture more, du Toit set up his camera approximately 50 meters away, keeping a respectful distance to avoid alarming the animal.
“Elephants often take dust baths or cover themselves in mud, probably to cool down or shield themselves from biting insects,” he explained.
Though he had often witnessed this behavior, it was challenging to photograph, so he quickly positioned his camera, balancing it out his vehicle’s window as he carefully followed the elephant’s movements.
After a brief pause, the elephant tossed up another cloud of sand, giving du Toit the perfect shot. “I was thrilled to capture this sequence,” he shared, describing the animal’s calm demeanor as it continued, seemingly unaware of du Toit’s presence.
The Kruger National Park, known for its rich wildlife, is a favorite destination for the Johannesburg-based photographer. “I visit often and drive my vehicle,” he said.
“While you’re free to explore the park, staying inside your vehicle is mandatory. Elephants are common here, and they’re usually quite calm.”
As of a 2015 census, Kruger National Park is home to over 17,000 elephants. However, a report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature noted a troubling decline of more than 100,000 African elephants in the wild over the past decade.
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