An elephant family with two young elephants standing close to an adult at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary in summer/spring, bright sunlight illuminating lush greenery and earthy tones. 8:16
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Twin baby elephants copy their mom

Twins are rare in elephants. At the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka, one mother has two, and both of them follow her lead. more

The orphanage was set up by the Sri Lankan Wildlife Conservation Department, and the twins were born right there at the sanctuary. They look like small copies of their mother, and both are healthy. The caregivers make a point of looking after all three.

The little family lives in an open enclosure with a small pond. Mom keeps the twins close at her side, and on a sunny day the three of them graze on the grass together. The babies are still working out how grazing is done.

Two elephants stand close together on dirt ground with patches of grass, near trees. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
In the enclosure, the little family sticks close together.

She also tries to teach them new things, like how to enjoy a sand bath. What they mostly learn is to follow her. If their mother drinks water, the two of them drink water. If she stands quietly, they stand quietly too.

It is funny to see, and the visitors at the orphanage are hooked. The mother is gentle enough that a few of them come close to take pictures of her. One admirer noticed how careful she is not to step on the eight tiny feet under her huge body.

An elephant family with two young elephants standing close to an adult at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary in summer/spring, bright sunlight illuminating lush greenery and earthy tones. The headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Twins are rare in elephants.

After a while, the twins play with each other and with their caregiver. Then the rest of the herd joins the three of them, and the whole group heads off for a bath at the water nearby.

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