I am by training a paleontologist. I firmly believe that evolution functions even in this day and age. This is a clear example of the stupid who should propogate stupid genes to another generation.
I know this forum is usually based on proactive and positive commentary but I just canot believe anyone could be so dumb. The followed those elephants far closer than I would want to be with a .375 H&H of larger rifle, provoked the herd by getting close to its young, and watched as the elephants climbed the bank only meters away - each with their ears flared in a semi-agressive posture.
What did they think would happen? These are real elephants, not the shamelessly tamed circus elephants that the completely ignorant know and love. These people confronted wild and dangerous game at close range.
These are some of the most dangerous animals on the planet - they shuold never have been allowed to be portrayed or used as side-show attractions in the first instance.
In the wild, they are massive, sometimes highly aggressive and intelligent animals deserving of tremedous respect and a very health dose of fear.
I hope that the people in the boat were not hurt - I would never wish that on anyone. But if they were, the elephants would ultimately suffer because a PH would probably have been dispatched to hunt the PAC aggressive and troublesome luxoadonta that caused all that trouble.
Shameful conduct. THose people deserve all the chastising that they get.
Thanks for sharing this Jerome - its a good reminder or how removed from the real wilderness most people actually are.