Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The Defense Circle

When the elephant herd is on the move, the adults form a defensive ring around the babies to guard them from predators like lions and hyenas. A hidden camera was placed between the bushes in the elephant path and i drove off far in my land rover as soon as I saw the herd approaching in Masai Mara. With bull elephants present, it was best to keep safe by being as far as possible.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2020
Date Uploaded: 09.2022
Photo Location: Masai Mara, Kenya
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Copyright: © Manoj Shah