One way that kids learn what to do is through mimicry.
They look around and observe everything that’s going on around them, and they copy what they do. It’s the same with watching television or any YouTube Video. When they see a person dancing, they try to do the same actions the best they can.
It’s the same with animals. They also learn what to do by observing their environment and looking at what others are doing. Mimicry is also essential in their communication and survival.
This baby elephant captured the hearts of many for mimicking everything his mom did.
This mother-and-son duo is one of the favorites among visitors. But this adorable duo wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for Samui Elephant Haven, who rescued the mother elephant Somboon from a trekking camp.
They discovered that she was still used to carry tourists around despite being pregnant. They rescued her and brought her to the sanctuary. They took care of her until she gave birth, and then they saw the beautiful bond between her and her son, Haven.
What they loved about Haven was how he was so determined to copy his mother.
While it is normal to mimic, this one, in particular, had this adorable way of following everything – literally everything – that his mother did. He always walked near her and did what she did.
It may seem like he’s annoying her sometimes, but we bet Somboon didn’t mind having such a curious calf.
If anything, she just let him be – antics and all!
Haven made an effort to keep up with Somboon, whether she’s scratching her trunk, blowing dust at her back, or picking up food. It’s adorable how he tries each time. But why did people gush over this calf following his mother?
You see, young elephants can’t use their trunk until a year old.
That means that whatever Haven is doing with his trunk, he still doesn’t have complete control of it. Try as he might, it remained a piece of long appendage that got in the way of whatever he wanted to do.
He looked very cute, though, seeing how determined he was! Sometimes, you can see him use his foot to push food inside his mouth when his trunk can’t get it in.
So, while waiting for him to move his trunk as he wills, a little practice wouldn’t hurt. Following Samboon seemed like a perfect practice for him.
Haven is slowly growing by the day.
The sanctuary started to introduce his presence to the rest of the herd since it was essential for Haven’s survival. He would explore his environment while other elephants would go near and smell him.
He had already formed a bond with the herd’s resident matriarch and nanny named Sudarat. Haven would often stay as close to her as he would his mother. This gave an assurance that he would have more years to live as he learned about his breed in the safety of the sanctuary.
Check out an adorable video about Haven below!
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