As I was observing a young elephant calf, who while playing around saw a common mayna bird hopping in grass around it and he seemed very amused and interested in it.
On a hot summer afternoon in April, 2014, we were at Dhikala Grasslands between Car Road and the Ram Ganga River. It was herd of about 35-40 elephants of all ages. Despite the het and blazing sun we were enjoying the activities of the herd of elephants. This herd also included a few baby elephants and these young calves were enjoying the weather and apmle grass. Their tummies were full and some of the were playing around.
As I was observing a young elephant calf, who while playing around saw a common mayna bird hopping in grass around it and he seemed very amused and interested in it. (The bird can be seen as a black spot on the ground in front of the elephant calf). The calf tried to first playfully catch the bird, then it moved around the little bird in circle and was simply having fun, knowing well that the bird was not a threat and the bird also seemed to knew that this little elephant was not a threat.
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