A buffalo bull throws a baby elephant into the air in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa. Photo: Conrad Cramer/Barcroft Media

By Chris Perez, August 28, 2014
New York Post

A gutsy elephant calf foolishly challenged a hulking buffalo bull to a head-on test of power.
The cocky youngster got the gumption to provoke the beastly buffalo after he spotted him approaching a water hole in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, Barcroft reports.

The calf had been quenching his thirst with his herd when the buffalo decided to join in.

Viewing the sharply-horned bull as a threat, the brash elephant made the unwise decision to confront him head on and try and forcefully scare him away.

Photo: Conrad Cramer/Barcroft Media

“The young elephant ran up to him, ears out and its little head lifted, typical of an adult elephant when trying to intimidate another animal or human,” said wildlife guide Conrad Cramer, who witnessed the disproportionate matchup.

“The buffalo found no humor in this and picked up the little one and threw him in the air,” he added.
“What surprised me was that the other elephants were in no way disturbed by the chain of events, but rather seemed to see it as a life lesson that the youngster had to learn.