87 Elephants Killed by Poachers in Africa’s ‘Last Safe Haven’
Published 5 Sep 2018, 11:09 BST

Elephants are highly social and form tight family groups. Here, a family enjoys time together at Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Elephants take frequent mud baths to cool down and help remove parasites. Here, a family gets in on the action in Samburu.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Highly protective of their families and their young, elephants will charge if they feel threatened. They prefer to scare off their enemies, but will resort to physical combat if pressed.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
A family of elephants, including newborns, searches for water in Samburu.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Young bulls constantly grapple and test each other, learning valuable skills they will need in their adulthood.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
A family of elephants in Samburu are lead across the river by their matriarch, Mistral, while a younger female, Sydoest, stands ground to discourage a breeding male that seems intent on following.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Elephants rest by moonlight.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Saturn, an older mother, keeps watch over her own two calves and two orphans that are cared for by her band.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
A newborn crosses the Ewaso Ngiro River, sheltered under the legs of family members.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Young elephants often play until they drop.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
Elephant mating can cause chaotic scenes.
Photograph by Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic Creative
A lone elephant stands out against the sky in Gabon.