With February being the month of love, signs of affection are all around us. But love isn’t just for humans—Sarah Barratt, our Guide at Thornybush Game Lodge shares a few of her favourite affection moments between the wildlife at Thornybush. They really do have their own unique ways of bonding, caring, and showing affection. And while some of these gestures may seem familiar, others are a little… unexpected!
African wild dogs thrive on teamwork. Their survival depends on cooperation, and they go the extra mile to care for their pack members. If a fellow pack member is unable to eat, others will regurgitate food to help nourish them. Talk about looking out for one another!
And if that isn’t enough to show their tight bond, they also have a rather… interesting way of cementing their connection—by urinating on themselves and each other. This helps unify their scent so they all carry the same pack identity. Thankfully, our human bonding rituals are a little less, well, smelly!
Elephants are well-known for their intelligence and emotional depth. Just like humans hug their loved ones, elephants have their own affectionate greeting. When two elephants with a strong social bond meet, they place their trunks in each other’s mouths. This may seem strange to us, but for them, it’s a way to exchange scents, build trust, and even resolve conflicts. The elephant version of a big, warm embrace!
Hyenas have a rather peculiar way of catching up with each other. Their ritualised greetings involve genital sniffing and licking—yes, really! While it might seem bizarre to us, this behaviour plays a crucial role in reinforcing social bonds and hierarchies within the group. Luckily, as humans, we can just sit down and have a chat over an Amarula coffee instead!
From wild dogs’ teamwork to elephants’ affectionate greetings and hyenas’ quirky rituals, it’s clear that love and social bonding are just as important in the wild as they are in our own lives.
So, as you celebrate love this February, take a moment to appreciate the connections around you—whether they’re human or wild. Show your pack members some love and embrace the beauty of bonding in all its forms!
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