A baby elephant with grayish-brown skin stands in an enclosure at a sanctuary, using its trunk to splash water from a large black plastic bucket. 0:57
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Baby elephant's first bath ends in a tumble

The tub at Chaba's sanctuary is a black plastic basin of water. A grown elephant could never squeeze in, but for a baby it is just the right size. more

Chaba has never had a bath before, so she hasn't yet worked out how to get in or out. She starts with one leg and her face. The splashing begins right away.

A wet baby elephant stands near water with its trunk curled up and its mouth slightly open. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Chaba starts with one leg and her face, and the splashing begins.

Soon all four feet are in. Now she has to get out, and her belly barely clears the rim. The first leg comes over easily, the second takes some effort, and in a few seconds she is free.

She wanders over to her mom, who's eating in the corner. Once she's sure her mom is still there, she turns right around. It's the kind of quick check-in any toddler would make.

A baby elephant with grayish-brown skin stands in an enclosure at a sanctuary, using its trunk to splash water from a large black plastic bucket. The headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
The tub at Chaba's sanctuary is a black plastic basin of water.

Back at the tub, she tries a new plan and leads with her trunk. She splashes around for a bit before climbing in again.

This time she slides into the water making happy little noises. Her trunk goes straight down into the muddy water.

A young elephant stands in a black tub of muddy water with its trunk under the surface. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Second time in, Chaba slides into the water making happy noises.

Then she tries for a drink. She squirts a trunkful toward her mouth and misses, and the water sprays past her face. Down goes the trunk again for another sip.

A young elephant stands in a black tub of water with its trunk dipped in, drinking. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Between splashes, she dips her trunk to drink.

Getting out the second time does not go as well. Chaba tips over the rim and lands on her rump. No harm done, and her mom is close by.

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