Why is This Baby Elephant Swinging its Trunk Like a Helicopter?

This baby elephant may be swinging its trunk around because it's feeling "awkward." This seemingly strange behavior is actually common among young calves. It’s most often seen when they're still learning to control their trunks.

Elephant expert Joyce Poole says that it could be a type of displacement behavior. She states that the elephant may not be quite sure about the social dynamics of the wallow. Young elephants swing their feet and twist their trunks when they are unsure of their next move.