Wildlife photographer Cassie Noel Photography recently shared a core memory from her time on safari: a curious baby elephant decided to ham it up for the camera. Two mama elephants were eating breakfast with their babies; one of the calves chose to stay right next to mom, but the other was clearly born to light up a stage!
Watch as the little one puts on quite a show for the tourists…it’s almost like he’s posing so they can all get their perfect shot of him. It’s guaranteed to make you smile, and if you’re like us, you’ll probably watch it more than once!
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! As commenter @deedeetschour said, “Little show-offs will do anything for a laugh LOL! I love it!!!” We loved it, too!
Related: Sweet Baby Elephant Learning How to Use Her Trunk Will Make Anyone’s Day
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More About the Adorable Baby Elephant Hamming It Up for the Camera
Cassie shared more about the experience with the brave baby elephant in the video’s caption:
“Morning light was just breaking over the horizon when we found this elephant herd moving quietly through the landscape. We positioned our jeep and waited, letting them choose the distance, letting the moment unfold on their terms.
Two very young elephants were playfully testing each other, curiosity bubbling over. One stayed close to mom. The other noticed us and decided this was his stage.
He came forward, stopped, lifted one leg… then the other. A hop. Big ears flapping, confidence growing. Each time he’d gather himself, burst into a jump, then run back toward mom, ears somehow bigger than the rest of him, before turning around to do it all again.
Mom stayed slightly off to the side, calmly feeding, but never stopped watching. You could see it… her left eye always on him. Close enough to protect, far enough to let him be brave.
We talked softly to him from the jeep as he showed off, back and forth, testing himself, testing us. After a while, mom gave a gentle call. He paused, did one last move, and then slipped back to her side, exactly where he belonged.
The way this young elephant looked at us… I’ll carry that with me forever. So grateful for moments like these.”
Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and memory!
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.