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9 Animals That Can Kill An Elephant

Updated: Jun 7

While elephants are generally considered one of the most powerful and intimidating animals in the animal kingdom, there are a few predators that could potentially kill an elephant, especially if it is young, sick or injured. Killing an elephant can be difficult for several reasons. Elephants are one of the largest land animals on the planet, with adult males weighing up to 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg) and standing up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall. Their sheer size and strength make them difficult to take down, especially for a lone predator.

elephants playing with water

Elephants have a thick layer of tough skin that can be difficult to penetrate with traditional weapons, such as arrows or spears. Elephants are highly intelligent and have a well-developed social structure. They are able to recognize and avoid potential threats, and can quickly learn to associate certain behaviors with danger. When an elephant is threatened, it may use its size and strength to defend itself or its herd. Elephants have been known to charge, trample, and even throw objects at perceived threats.

Lion

While lions are known to hunt and kill a wide range of prey, including large animals like buffalo and giraffes, taking down an adult elephant is a rare and difficult feat. The size, strength, and formidable defenses of an adult elephant make it a dangerous target even for a group of lions, who must work together and rely on their collective strength and hunting skills to succeed.


That being said, lions have been known to attack and kill young or weakened elephants. In such cases, the lions typically target the vulnerable areas of the elephant, such as the legs and belly, and use their sharp teeth and claws to bring the animal down.


One of the most well-known instances of lions attacking elephants occurred in 2016, when a group of lions was seen attacking a young elephant in South Africa's Kruger National Park. The lions were observed biting and clawing at the elephant's legs and trunk, trying to bring it down. However, the elephant fought back fiercely, using its powerful trunk and tusks to ward off the attackers.


Ultimately, the elephant was able to break free and escape, thanks in part to the intervention of a herd of buffalo, who charged in and chased off the lions. The incident was a reminder of the difficulty and danger involved in trying to take down such a large and powerful animal as an elephant.

Crocodile

Crocodiles are known to be formidable predators, and have been known to attack and kill a wide range of prey, including mammals, fish, and even other crocodiles. While crocodiles are not typically known for attacking large land animals like elephants, such incidents have been reported from time to time.


In 2014, a tourist in Zambia captured footage of a crocodile attacking an elephant that was drinking from a river. The crocodile was seen latching onto the elephant's trunk and attempting to drag it into the water, while the elephant trumpeted and struggled to free itself.


In another incident in 2018, a crocodile was reported to have attacked and killed an elephant in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. The elephant was reportedly crossing a river when the crocodile attacked it, biting down on its trunk and pulling it underwater. Despite the efforts of other elephants in the herd to rescue their companion, the crocodile was ultimately able to overpower the elephant and kill it.


While such incidents are relatively rare, they do serve as a reminder of the power and danger of these massive reptiles. Crocodiles are known for their stealth and ambush tactics, and are able to strike quickly and with great force, making them a serious threat to any animals that venture too close to their territory.

hyena

#3 Hyenas:

Hyenas are opportunistic hunters and scavengers, and are known for their persistence and endurance in tracking and hunting down prey. While they may not have the strength or power to take down a fully grown elephant, they are capable of wearing down a weakened or injured animal over time, using their sharp teeth and powerful jaws to attack and kill their target.


One particularly well-documented case of hyenas preying on elephant calves occurred in Tanzania's Tarangire National Park in 2011. A group of hyenas was observed stalking a young elephant calf, which had become separated from its mother. The hyenas were seen following the calf for several hours, slowly wearing it down and taking advantage of its weakened state.


Eventually, the hyenas were able to bring down the calf, using their powerful jaws to tear at its flesh and devour it. Despite the efforts of other elephants in the herd to protect the calf, the hyenas were ultimately successful in their attack.

wild dog

#4 Wild Dogs:

African wild dogs are pack animals and are known for their cooperative hunting tactics. They primarily hunt medium-sized antelopes, such as impalas and gazelles, but will occasionally take down larger prey, such as wildebeest or zebras. They typically hunt in groups of six to 20 individuals, and use their speed, agility, and endurance to tire out their prey and take it down.


While African wild dogs are known for their successful hunting strategies, they are not equipped to take down an adult elephant. Even a large pack of African wild dogs would be no match for an adult elephant, which can weigh up to six tons and stand over 10 feet tall at the shoulder.

tiger

Tigers usually do not actively seek out and kill elephants, but sometimes when the circumstances are right they may attack. Typically, tigers will avoid adult elephants, as they are large, powerful animals that are difficult to take down.


Tigers are known to be opportunistic hunters, and will take advantage of any chance to catch food. In areas where tiger and elephant populations overlap, conflicts can occur, particularly if tigers are struggling to find prey or if elephant populations are particularly high.


Tigers have been known to ambush elephants as they come to water sources, and may take down a young elephant or even attack an adult if they are particularly hungry or desperate. However, these instances are rare, and most tigers will avoid elephants if possible, preferring to hunt smaller prey such as deer, wild pigs, and antelope.

rhino

Rhinos are large, powerful animals with thick skin and sharp horns, which they can use to defend themselves if they feel threatened. In some cases, if an elephant gets too close to a rhino's calf, the mother rhino may charge at the elephant in an attempt to protect her young.


However, such incidents are very rare, and the vast majority of rhinos and elephants coexist peacefully in their shared habitats. In fact, elephants and rhinos can often be seen grazing together in the wild, and there are even reports of rhinos following elephants in order to feed on the grasses they stir up with their trunks.

hippo

Hippos are known for their aggressive nature. An incident occurred in 2017 in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park, when a group of hippos was observed attacking and killing an adult female elephant. The exact cause of the attack is not clear, but it is believed that the hippos may have been trying to protect their territory or resources, or may have been responding to a perceived threat or provocation.


Hippos are territorial animals and are known to be fiercely protective of their territory and resources, including water sources and grazing areas. They are also known for their aggressive and unpredictable behavior, particularly when threatened or provoked.


In the case of the elephant attack, the hippos were observed charging at the elephant and biting and dragging it into the water. Despite the elephant's attempts to fight back and escape, the hippos were ultimately successful in their attack, and the elephant was killed.


While such incidents are relatively rare, they do serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of wildlife in the wild. Hippos, like many other animals, can be dangerous when provoked or threatened, and it is important to exercise caution and respect when encountering them in their natural habitat.

African wild buffalo

#8 African Wild Buffalo:

African wild buffalo are powerful, muscular animals that can weigh over 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) and stand over 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the shoulder. They have large, curved horns that can be over a meter (3 feet) in length, and are capable of goring and killing predators with ease. Their thick hides are also tough enough to resist the bites and claws of most predators, making them a formidable opponent in any fight.


Elephants, on the other hand, are the largest land animals in the world and can weigh up to 5,500 kg (12,000 lbs). They are known for their immense strength, intelligence, and protective nature when it comes to their young. While they are not typically preyed upon by other animals, they do face threats from humans and occasionally fall victim to predators such as lions and hyenas.


In rare cases, a buffalo may attack an elephant and try to bring it down. This is most likely to occur when the elephant is sick, injured, or weakened in some way, making it an easier target for the buffalo. The buffalo will typically use its horns to strike the elephant and try to bring it down, but this can be a difficult and dangerous task.


If a buffalo does manage to take down an elephant, it will usually be a group effort involving multiple buffalo working together to wear down and weaken the larger animal. The buffalo will then circle around the elephant and take turns goring it with their horns, inflicting fatal wounds that eventually bring the elephant down.

elephants fighting

#9 Other Elephants:

Elephants are known for their intelligence, social bonds, and intricate communication, but there are times when elephants can turn on their own kind and even kill each other. In fact, elephant-on-elephant aggression is one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths in elephant populations.


There are a number of reasons why elephants may attack and kill each other. One of the most common reasons is competition over resources such as food, water, or mating opportunities. When resources are scarce, bulls may compete with each other for the chance to mate with females, which can sometimes result in violent conflicts.


Another reason why elephants may kill each other is related to social dynamics. Elephants are highly social animals and live in complex family groups led by matriarchs. However, sometimes younger males may challenge the authority of the matriarch or other dominant individuals in the group, which can result in violent confrontations.


In some cases, elephants may also attack and kill calves that are not their own. This can happen when a female elephant is in musth, a period of increased testosterone that can cause bulls to become aggressive and even attack young elephants. In other cases, elephants may kill calves that are not related to them as a way to eliminate competition for resources.

elephants walking

It is important to note that while these animals can potentially kill an elephant, elephant populations are generally healthy and stable, and such attacks are relatively rare.


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