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An elephant disappears into a cloud of dust. The elephant was spotted dusting itself in Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Retired accountant Petra van der Zande, 66, "Elephants will have a dust bath to protect their skin from the sun and to stay cool. The elephants do this by splashing their bodies with water and then they
throw a layer of earth on their backs to create a barrier. The soil also acts as an insect repellent. This elephant was only throwing soil, there was no water nearby."
"We were driving in a car, window open. In Etosha you are not allowed to leave the car. We saw one elephant approaching the car and before I knew it he sprayed sand all over himself. It happened very quickly but I managed to get these photos through the open window. Elephants can walk very fast. Very soon we only saw the back of the elephant as it disappeared in the dust cloud. It was a beautiful and exciting moment!"
Please byline: Petra van der Zande/Solent News
© Petra van der Zande/Solent News & Photo Agency
UK +44 (0) 2380 458800
*** Local Caption *** When and where were these shots taken? The papers often ask for specific dates and locations and we would need to be able to provide this information upon request. Taken on 7th October 2024 in Etosha National Park, Namibia.
Can you describe what is happening in these images? Why was the elephant doing this? Are they giving themself a 'dust bath' .
Dust bath: To protect their skin from the sun and to stay cool. The elephants do this by splashing their bodies with water and then
throwing a layer of earth on their backs to create a barrier. The soil also acts as an insect repellent. This elephant was only throwing soil,
there was no water nearby.
Can you give us an insight into the moments leading up to this as well as directly after?
We saw one elephant approaching towards the car and before I knew it he sprayed sand all over himself. It happened very quickly.
They can walk very fast. Very soon we only saw the back of the elephant........
How were you able to capture these images? We were driving in a car, window open. In Etosha you are not allowed to leave the car.
Is there any more information you would like us to include? It was a beautiful and exciting moment!
And finally, what is your preferred full name, age and occupation? Petra van der Zande, 66 years old, I was an accountant,
now retired and enjoying the hobby of photography.
2024-11-28
Petra van der Zande/Solent News & Photo Agency/Solent News/East
Solent News
Petra van der Zande/Solent News & Photo Agency
SN_ELEPHANT_DUST_09
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17cm x 22cm by 300dpi
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