At a game lodge in South Africa, a young elephant made a memorable visit when it ventured to drink from the swimming pool, accidentally brushing against a game ranger, capturing the scene on film.
Wildlife manager Eugene Troskie, 34, was relaxing on the lodge’s deck when a herd of elephants arrived. One young male, about 20 years old, approached the pool for a drink.
As Troskie pulled out his phone to document the unusual encounter, the elephant’s trunk reached into the pool for a sip.
While Troskie was resting against a tree at Lion Place Lodge in the Grietjie Private Game Reserve within Kruger National Park, he was startled when the elephant, focused on feeding on new shoots, drew closer. The elephant’s tusk brushed Troskie’s shoulder as it stretched its trunk towards the tree.
Despite his proximity, the elephant seemed more interested in the fresh vegetation than Troskie.
When the ranger adjusted his camera, the elephant noticed him and momentarily stepped back, surprised by the movement. Troskie described the experience as extraordinary, noting that he felt completely safe.
With a decade of experience as a game ranger, he recognized the elephant’s calm demeanor and welcomed the close interaction.
Troskie explained, “I think the elephant mistook me for part of the deck and was surprised when I moved. There was no sign of aggression even when it realized I was human.”
He continued, “It was a special moment. I felt safe and was happy to let the elephant come close. Although such encounters are usually avoided with guests due to unpredictable reactions, this was a unique experience.”
The herd of 25 elephants frequently visits the waterhole near the lodge and sometimes drinks directly from the pool, much to the delight of the lodge’s visitors.
Located near Phalaborwa in Limpopo Province, Lion Place Lodge covers 2,800 hectares of savannah and is home to the Big Five: elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Troskie, a married father of one, noted that elephants perceive humans as threats at their waterholes but are less surprised by human presence when inside a lodge.
He added, “Elephants coming into the lodge are accustomed to human smells, unlike when they’re in their natural territory.”
He also shared a photo of three elephants enjoying a drink from the pool, highlighting the unusual and delightful interactions that can occur at the lodge.
African elephants can grow up to 13 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 12,000 pounds.
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