Powder bomb

We were driving along the river road in the late morning, with plans to head back to the lodge, but as we turned east we were rendered immobile by the most glorious roadblock: A breeding herd of elephants were having a dust bath in the woodland area, where the soil is the softest.

It was divine to see them scuff up the sand with their front feet, then hoover it up with their trunks, then flick their trunks over their bodies sending extravagant curlicues of powdery sand into the air that rained down upon them.

When elephants throw dust over their bodies, it helps to protect their skin from the harsh sun and biting insects. The morning was just revving up to be a scorching day, so their timing in “the powder room” was perfect.

The layer of dust acts as a natural sunscreen, reducing the risk of sunburn, especially on areas of their skin that are more exposed, like their ears and backs. It also helps to create a barrier against parasites, including ticks and other pests that might irritate their skin. By covering themselves in dust, elephants also regulate their body temperature, as the layer absorbs moisture from the environment, keeping them cooler in hot weather.

As we were there for quite some time we were able to observe how accurate and precise they are with their trunks. They suck in a specific quantity of sand, then spray it exactly where they want it to land – be it their left or right flanks, their backs, and even their bellies. Fortunately we were upwind of them otherwise we would have been drenched in sand too.

In woodland areas where trees provide partial shade, dust bathing is often a communal activity, with groups of elephants gathering together to indulge in the ritual, enjoying both the social interaction and the benefits of the bath.

How clever and adaptable they are. And what effective roadblocks!