This Elephant has more brain then these two humans . They r risking at lest 3 lives to teach disturbing methods . pls let them live their life & in joy seeing them from safe distance .
The negative comments about this video are simply ignorance. I have spent time with this guide on two separate occasions and he is one of the best I have encountered in 30 years of photographing wildlife in 39 countries. The behaviour the elephant is displaying is similar to that which they will display with other elephants and animals as well. It is often a display and trust me if that elephant was seriously annoyed he would have put his ears back and charged. Stretch and a few other guides have done an incredible amount for these elephants in Mana Pools and as a result they have become really relaxed with human beings. This is not some once-off random approach. His camp is only up from April to November each year and he spends time familiarising himself with a few of the elephants in the area before guests arrive. This part of the park neighbours a hunting concession and the elephants behave differently in this area which is a safe haven. They often appear in his camp and the gun is a requirement for walking safaris. It is seldom used and not on animals he approaches on purpose. The biggest problem with what he is doing is that some ignorant people will try it with the wrong animals and not read the signs.He is not casual at all. Don't mistake his calm demeanour for somebody who is not watching that animal all the time for signs and often he will survey a scene and say "no, it is not right to approach". For example, if an elephant which he knows is facing in the other direction he will always speak to it so that it is not surprised by the approach. His safaris are enlightening and he shows that herbivores like elephants are not out to destroy everything in their path.
@LASummer Please read up before commenting. During a serious charge has the animals will have their ears pinned back. Mock charges have ears forward and when they approach with some uncertainty they open their ears. What he did was show that the initial approach was to show who was in charge and then he relaxed as he felt comfortable and curious.
I operate across the Zambezi river from Mana Pools. We have elephants in camp almost daily. This season, the elephant population was so dense, you could smell them from boats on the river. You learn. You come out of your chalet and there's ellies. You're checking the oil on the Land Cruisers at the workshop and here comes a massive bull after winter thorn pods. You drive or boat and there they are. You co exist. Some, you see so much that you recognize each other and they react to strangers quite differently. Others are protecting babies and there are no negotiations. As I said, you co exist and learn. Some days you get mock charged. On others, YOU charge the elephant. And as for the gun, we conducted more than 150 walking Safaris this year with heavily armed Scouts - 0.00% incidents, not even a warning shot fired. Trust your professionals and your own ever increasing knowledge. I would be honored to meet Stretch !
@@Jajennings01 And provoking the elephants? Just endangering the next groups of innocent tourists who just want mutually respectful interaction with these wild animals. Elephants have long memories and this sort of thing is just not on.
@@Boomslang1 EVERY tourist wants their thrill to say to folks back home: " I was brave enough - and had an elephant come 20yds/so close from me, or, - to stand a mock charge by an elephant. This desire is part of the reason why tourists go to Africa - to have that experience of getting CLOSE to African wildlife - otherwise they'd just save their money and watch African wildlife docos on TV at home. I agree it shouldn't be done, but tourism is a big earner of every African country's economy. So spare a thought for those Wardens and Guides who put their lives in jeopardy evey day - for tourists to get their momentary thrill - but who are regularly killed in doing so.
The guy has confidence in his knowledge on the behavior of the animal. Good for him. But the guy who accompanied him is a good follower who trusted in the belief of his master. Also it is great that the animal is trusted for its consistency of response. Altogether i must agree that it is a superb expression of strength of charecter and trust in one another.
Been to the Kruger Park a couple of times but never felt the need to encroach too closely to any of the wildlife. In cases like this, if things go wrong, it's very likely the elephant will end up being shot, all so a tourist can have a thrill, and / or the guide can earn a bigger tip...
Which Kruger Park has offered you a walking safari? In those couple of times have you witnessed what you're talking about or you just a dreamy western?
@@ultimatendlovu1425 You're setting off my Asshole Alert....Been to Kruger twice, Ofilants Camp and further south in each case. I have also been to a private lodge which belonged to one of the owners of one of the farms that makeup the Klaserie Game Reserve, which has open boundaries with the Kruger. In the Kruger National Park, walking safaris were offered, with tourists being taken between somewhat more primitive camps by two Park Rangers...I did my own bush walks in the Klaserie, with our host but we never pushed any close encounters with the wildlife...
@@peterevans8194 thank you for the detailed response. I take it the narrative of an African Guide shooting an elephant just for the tourists thrill and a bigger tip is just as dreamy. We dont do that here. We love and appreciate your visits but we don't kill our animals to give you thrills.
If these beautiful creatures are not being put into any type of stress than fine but if they are this needs to stop regardless of how well he knows the ellies 🐘
Stretch knows each of the elephants in Mana, having operated there for years, and has trained them to 'charge' him and the client. He repays them on the side, when no one is watching, with Chibuku Shake Shake.
Had the same tought: the phant dropped his food. If I were to go and ask Mike Tyson for an autograph and as soon as he sees me coming in he drops his burrito on the floor and look nasty I would just turn around and walk away very fast. But this dude, he didn’t...he was lucky
'Elephant is a wild animal.' This is what I learned from my primary class teacher. I still believe that. We are encroaching their territory, disturbing them and expecting good behaviour from them. Get some education. Behave yourself. Life is precious.
Thank you Chris Jones (below)! I posted this video to share an amazing experience I had in Zimbabwe with a very seasoned, experienced guide (30 years plus). This was not random encounter with a unfamiliar elephant; both guide and elephant have known each other for many years. I am amazed by the negative responses that assume this was an aggressive rather than respectful encounter. The guide read the elephants mood and backed away. It is an example of how people and animals can interact. The gun is required by law.
Yes, it's only the ignorant, stupid armchair "conservationists" and SJWs sitting comfortably in their suburban homes in western society who jump up and down. Stretch is extremely experienced, knowledgeable and competent Guide. I had the pleasure of knowing his Dad. 👍
I've seen this guide before he does this stupidity for attention. I also saw a guide get trampled to death doing the same. This was negative to post this.
Hey Stretch, working your magic with the Elies, beautiful to see my friend. The Elie was so calm and peaceful the moment you spoke to him.....fanatastic !!!
I don't see what is so heroic in this.. this is just invading someone's personal space... if you really wanted to just observe them either for some research or just out of love, you would have respected their privacy.. after all it is their home
EVERY tourist wants their thrill to say to folks back home: " I was brave enough - and had an elephant come 20yds/so close from me, or, - to stand a mock charge by an elephant. This desire is part of the reason why tourists go to Africa - to have that experience of getting CLOSE to African wildlife - otherwise they'd just save their money and watch African wildlife docos on TV at home. I agree it shouldn't be done, but tourism is a big earner of every African country's economy. So spare a thought for those Wardens and Guides who put their lives in jeopardy evey day - for tourists to get their momentary thrill - but who are regularly killed in doing so.
@@birikunzira7183 Why don't you ask every tourist who goes to Africa that question? Because they ALL want their "up close and personal" moment to show folks back home their "bravery and steadfastness" by standing so very (suicidally!!) close to a WILD African animal (preferably some poor ele suffering gout and piles!!). 🙄
It amazes me how so many are quick to judge based on knee-jerk reactions and entitled opinions. I sincerely appreciate your insightful perspective as it may (hopefully) influence others not to be so quick to judge and actually learn more. Even naysayers can investigate the integrity of such safaris (and their guides) through related internet searches. Start with the source for my video, Stretch Ferreira Safaris! www.stretchsafaris.com/. Thanks again Russell
arupmukherjee2010 exactly what i was thinking. This is unnecessary behaviour. It looks very cool, but if something goes wrong, in the end, the elephant pays the price. In my opinion, this is not respectfull behaviour towards animals.
No, the fact that this elephant mock charged was an indication he did not want these men approaching him. Respect the elephant and get your kicks with a video game.
Stretch is the real deal. Make haste and go with him into Mana Pools. This video is the rule, not the exception. Have traveled Africa 3 months a year for more than a decade. Would rank this experience in the Top 3 of anything I've done.
Kevinfromheaven; What ? ! Why would anybody, in their right mind , risk going into the elephants space ? Things could have gone very wrong , very fast.
I've read many comments here supporting the guide. How do you feel / respond if a group of elephants encroach your property and do the same to your family?
By your definition you want to stop all tourism to Africa - unfortunately that won't happen in the real world. Because EVERY tourist wants their thrill to say to folks back home: " I was brave enough - and had an elephant come 20yds/so close from me, or, - to stand a mock charge by an elephant. This desire is part of the reason why tourists go to Africa - to have that experience of getting CLOSE to African wildlife - otherwise they'd just save their money and watch African wildlife docos on TV at home. I agree it shouldn't be done, but tourism is a big earner of every African country's economy. So spare a thought for those Wardens and Guides who put their lives in jeopardy evey day - for tourists to get their momentary thrill - but who are regularly killed in doing so.
This is an incredibly dumb act by the guide. Firstly these are wild and not circus animals and a sensible guide is supposed to respect that. Secondly either of them could have been killed and this then puts pressure on Parks as what to do with the animal. The danger is real a guide was gored by an elephant in August 2020 in Kruger Park in South Africa.It was decided not to kill that elephant. This oke deserved a good kick up the arse.
EVERY tourist wants their thrill to say to folks back home: " I was brave enough - and had an elephant come 20yds/so close from me, or, - to stand a mock charge by an elephant. This desire is part of the reason why tourists go to Africa - to have that experience of getting CLOSE to African wildlife - otherwise they'd just save their money and watch African wildlife docos on TV at home. I agree it shouldn't be done, but tourism is a big earner of every African country's economy. So spare a thought for those Wardens and Guides who put their lives in jeopardy evey day - for tourists to get their momentary thrill - but who are regularly killed in doing so.
What would have been awesome is him being impaled by the elephant tusk when he turned his back towards the elephant. I wish dumb humans would leave these animals alone
To all you nay sayers, I love freedom of speech, no one knows you are a fool until you open your mouth, (and comment in the way you have). You have experienced this sort of encounter many times before? No You are an elephant behavioural expert? No You have even been on a walking safari? No Have you even contributed to animal conservation in any way this year? No So what area of expertise do you have to make negative comments such as you have? Do not do this with any old guide, I agree absolutely but, Strech, Craig van Zyl, Alan Mc Smith, Ivan Carter and possibly one or two others are not any old guides. These guys are THE EXPERTS on Elephant behaviour and encountering elephants on foot. They have never had a bad outcome in over hundreds of hours of close encounters of this kind Your fears and ignorance are only your fears and ignorance. These limit you so much. When you do not know who and what you are talking about just do not comment or run the 100% risk of be recognized as a fool . This client has had the most exhilarating experience of his life and thrown off so many fears and gained so much from this encounter. No harm done to the elephant and a great deal of good done to all the clients and for conservation at large. You want to avoid tragedy... do not get out of bed for the rest of your life, and even that has risks of its own.
EVERY tourist wants their thrill to say to folks back home: " I was brave enough - and had an elephant come 20yds/so close from me, or, - to stand a mock charge by an elephant. This desire is part of the reason why tourists go to Africa - to have that experience of getting CLOSE to African wildlife - otherwise they'd just save their money and watch African wildlife docos on TV at home. I agree it shouldn't be done, but tourism is a big earner of every African country's economy. So spare a thought for those Wardens and Guides who put their lives in jeopardy evey day - for tourists to get their momentary thrill - but who are regularly killed in doing so.
Yes, after all they a wild animals. These animals have been known to make unprovoked attacks on game-drive vans full of tourists. The problem is that EVERY tourist wants their thrill to say to folks back home: " I was brave enough - and had an elephant come 20yds/so close from me, or, - to stand a mock charge by an elephant. This desire is part of the reason why tourists go to Africa - to have that experience of getting CLOSE to African wildlife - otherwise they'd just save their money and watch African wildlife docos on TV at home. I agree it shouldn't be done, but tourism is a big earner of every African country's economy. So spare a thought for those Wardens and Guides who put their lives in jeopardy evey day - for tourists to get their momentary thrill - but who are regularly killed in doing so.
@@birikunzira7183 Yes. The law states that if a dangerous animal is charging you (like some over-zealous counter staff do!! LOL!!) and is coming straight for you, or some tourist - the Guide is legally permitted to shoot the animal as a last resort (in defence). Of course a lengthy investigation will entail to investigate the whole series of events and shooting. Don't forget, that quite a number of Guides have been killed in trying to deflect charging animals (waving hands etc) rather than taking the animals' life. So it stands to reason that these Guides put their lives on the line each and every time they take out a bunch of tourist's who want their "up close and personal" moment with African wildlife.
I have just saw 2 videos with this same guide and elephant , but different scaried companions. I think , that both ( guide and elephant ) are partners in crime and made some kind of deal : lets scare the shit out of some naive tourist and be stars of youtube. On the side , guide has free beer in bar every night :) and many ladies in awe for such a hero :)I am not sure , what is all of that for elephant bull ??? :) . Maybe guide is giving bull some seed of wed for recreational plantation ? :) Maybe guide is giving tips ( based on other rangers and guides raports ) where bull could find some nice looking elephants ladies ? Anyway win - win for all :)
@@jivart4069 They is no secret behind this,it was used by the natives of the land when traveled across the country.but the only animal that won't take that nonsense is the widow maker Aka the buffalo. Let him try it with the buffalo his pants will hang on that tree in front of him.
That guy has got to be the best guide in all of Africa. The reason he's so confident is that he knows exactly what he is doing and the elephant sensed that easily. There's no reason that elephants and tourists can't be friends. The animals don't have to use the human roads and the humans actually love them so why not just be buddies. And they've probably noticed that the pink-skinned humans aren't the ones that come after them for their tusks...
