Baby elephant falls in pool

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Tue, 25 May 2010 1:10p.m.

Mali the little elephant falls in the pool!

Mali the little elephant falls in the pool!

The little elephant at Melbourne Zoo went for an unexpected dip in the pool.

The four-month-old calf, Mali, can be seen on home-video approaching the water with her mother and aunts.

Like many eager toddlers, she lost her balance and fell into the pool.

Unable to get herself out, the adult elephants became distressed and a zoo keeper jumped in to encourage Mali towards the shallow exit.

“When the keepers started to move around, I could tell it wasn’t something that happened all the time,” said the woman who caught the incident on camera. “And my heart was pounding!”

When Mali finally made it out she was surrounded by her protective herd.

Mali has only been allowed in the big pool for five days. Zoo staff believe it is likely that she will fall in again while she learns to swim.

Although, it might be a few days before she tries again.

Watch the video for the full report.

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Comments

20 Sep 2011 04:57a.m.

Kim wrote:

@ Laura C ... Elephants breed in the wild near rivers and lakes (full of and surrounded by predators)... should we go and put up fences there to make it safer? Maybe install kiddie paddling pools across the Plains of Africa and the jungles of Asia? Perhaps design and attach giant floaty rings around all baby elephants to prevent them from ever truly learning how to make it on there on merits?

27 Aug 2011 06:05a.m.

Becca wrote:

How hot is that zookeeper!?

28 May 2010 02:17a.m.

Laura C wrote:

I don't understand why these places who want to breed baby elephants, can't make better safer preparation for them to learn to swim, before the little one gets near deep water?

27 May 2010 11:04p.m.

iron man wrote:

ha! that is funny

27 May 2010 02:16a.m.

Jan Pape wrote:

I just love seeing the absolutely awesome interaction between these gorgeous elephants.
Have recently visited the Melbourne Zoo and what a delight it was to see Mali and her family. We humans, should take good look and perhaps a lesson on the love, protection and nurturing nature of these amazing creatures.
Hope your next swim is more successful, beautiful little Mali!

25 May 2010 10:54p.m.

carol Ryan wrote:

My daughter took this video yesterday. It was an amazing experience for her and her three daughers. She contcted a tv station, gave them the video but has not heard from them since. What an amazing experience