PLAYFUL BABY ELEPHANT SAYS HELLO<br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang <br />A playful baby elephant is seen greeting and saying hello to their human best friend.<br />Murray Luscombe, 42, who lives in South Africa shot the amazing encounter in the Eastern Cape safari region of South Africa.<br />Eric the hat-wearing seated man has been tracking elephants for over 25 years and built a special bond with the elephants. <br />Murray said he has been passionate about wildlife since childhood, growing up on a holiday farm surrounded by animals.<br /> He borrowed his mother’s camera at just six years old and has been filming wildlife ever since, now sharing unique sightings online to inspire people to book once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences.<br />The elephants have become accustomed to humans driving nearby and will occasionally wander over to investigate the vehicles, especially when young calves are present.<br />The viewers were in awe of the close bonds Murray formed with the elephants.<br />Murray explained that, despite their comfort around people, it is crucial to respect the elephants’ space:<br />Murray said: “There has to be a very healthy respect for the elephant, as they are still wild. <br />“ Eric, an experienced tracker for over 25 years knows these encounters all too well and realises that wildlife don’t want to be aggressive, it’s our body language that calms them.<br />"One can’t simply drive straight up to them you need knowledge of their behaviour in order to have a close-up encounter.<br />" We’ve been observing these elephants for over 10 years and have formed special bonds with them.”<br />END
