A mud bath may look like simple play for wildlife, but for Kaikai, an orphaned elephant calf, it is also a practical way to protect her skin.
What happened?
In an Instagram post from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (@sheldricktrust), Kaikai, a young elephant, is shown playing in a pool of mud.
"Kaikai is having a 'me' day," the caption explained. "A cool, muddy pool; a bright, sunny day; and all the time in the world — what more could a girl want!"
Aside from the fun, the act of "wallowing" in the mud has a functional purpose.
"A thick coat of wet mud, sealed with a dusting of soil, serves as a highly effective elephant sunscreen and insect repellent," the Trust wrote. "Kaikai knows exactly what she's doing!"
Why does it matter?
Kaikai is being cared for through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's rehabilitation work for orphaned elephants, which is designed to prepare animals for an eventual life back in the wild rather than permanent captivity.
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That return can take a long time. The trust said Kaikai may need more than a decade before reclaiming "her place in the wild," a timeline that reflects how much time, space, and resources elephant rehabilitation requires.
Luckily, until then, Kaikai will have a safe home where she can learn all the tools she needs to be released into the wild.
What are people saying?
In the comments, users fell in love with Kaikai.
"It's a muddy world and we're just living in it," one user joked.
"Living her best life," another said.
"This precious little darling," another commented. "Take all the 'me' time you need, sugar."
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