Wildlife ACT's Hluhluwe conservation volunteers were fortunate to watch a herd of elephants crossing the Hluhluwe River in South Africa.Elephants are very capable swimmers. They have been recorded swimming for up to six hours without touching the bottom, and have travelled as far as 48 km (30 mi) at a stretch and at speeds of up to 2.1 km/h. Experts suppose that Asian elephants once swam from Southern India to Sri Lanka where they settled. They mostly swim with their face above and their mouth below the water surface and breathe through their trunk which acts as a snorkel.
Photos: Gina GrossenbacherVolunteers present: Paule Garnero, Cazz Kimber, Alex Hunter and Laura Perry
