The Painted Elephants of Tsavo
To mitigate the sun and heat, the elephants of Tsavo bathe in a black mud and then throw sand on their bodies as they dry. Depending on the iron content and other properties of the sand, the color varies widely.
How Do the Elephants Paint Themselves?
The Elephants of Tsavo are faced with immense heat under a sweltering sun. They have adapted by bathing in mud and then covering that mud with sand. This creates a protective coat. We were able to experience this at close quarters thanks to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, who rescue and care for elephants in Tsavo until they can be released into the wild.
These orphans are habituated to humans and allowed us to get quite close.
