A quick pick up game is always a great way to pass the time.
Adults and kids all over the planet can be found in parks or facilities playing a ball game of their choice. It’s a great way to forget about life and just let it all out.
Normally, these games take off when a few friends join in or challenge random strangers. Be it basketball, football, or baseball, there are always strangers who become friends afterwards.
Everyone has a kid inside just waiting to play with others.
Imagine then wanting to have a quick game of football with friends but no opponents to play against. What’s a kid going to do?
Go to the local game farm, surely. These kids did just that and headed on near Mossel Bay in the Western cape of South Africa.
There were a few unexpected players waiting, each of them weighing over three tons.
Loxodonta Africana or simply the African elephant is a herbivore that can weigh up to 7 tons.
Amari and Shanti are two elephants from Indalu and they’re ready to play some ball. That’s right. It’s an average of 3 tons versus 50 pounds of little boys. Finn Johnson is five and together with his two friends, Hanro and Rohan van Rooyen, they were determined to play the massive herbivores.
Trees were used as makeshift goal posts and Finn’s mom, Fiona Ayerst, recorded the game.
The boys must have thought it would be an easy win against these pachyderms.
But these elephants can play! Finn, Hanro, and Rohan better step it up if they want to keep their pride. These huge mammals are not to be taken lightly. In more ways than one.
Look at those elephants handle the ball. Even better than some people!
That competitive fire has been lit and the boys refuse to lose.
Shanti and Amari are able to score two goals. It might very well be the size advantage. But the boys rally back and score three goals.
You can see it in their faces. They want that victory.
It was size and power against agility and speed.
The elephants made new fans too! One viewer commented,
“Love the shot where one elephant picks up the ball with its trunk and then drops it for a perfect kick. There’s mental work going on there.”
Those are serious skills for a mammal standing 13 feet and weighing in as heavy as a family SUV. There is surprising dexterity and finesse from Shanti and Amari. The boys win 3-2 though.
Fun and games over but an elephant never forgets.
Competitive kicks are always fun even for animals.
“It was a bit scary at first because the elephants were so huge but as soon as I started scoring goals and beating them I wasn’t scared anymore.”
Finn shared,
Amari and Shanti were rescued four years back and the rangers in charge of them allow guests to interact with these beautiful elephants under their supervision. These elephants roam the farm freely and guests are educated about threats to the elephants lives and how they live before being allowed to venture out and meet these majestic mammals.
“Football is an enrichment game for the elephants. The game is perfect for coordination and also for keeping the elephants stimulated.”
Fun game but new friends are better and you can see it for yourself in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family
Source: YouTube, National Geographic
