National Geographic's stunning pictures of elephants
Published 5 Sept 2018, 11:09 BST, Updated 25 Mar 2021, 20:51 GMT

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 CreativeElephants 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 CreativeHighly 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 CreativeA family of elephants, including newborns, searches for water in Samburu.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic CreativeYoung bulls constantly grapple and test each other, learning valuable skills they will need in their adulthood.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic CreativeA 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 CreativeElephants rest by moonlight.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic CreativeSaturn, 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 CreativeA newborn crosses the Ewaso Ngiro River, sheltered under the legs of family members.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic CreativeYoung elephants often play until they drop.
Photograph by Michael Nichols, National Geographic CreativeElephant mating can cause chaotic scenes.
Photograph By Michael Nichols, National Geographic CreativeA lone elephant stands out against the sky in Gabon.
