The 'Giraffic' Park

Where these gentle giants are a part of the family

These human and nature affection images are from the shadow of Kenya’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest animals are free to roam their 140-acre estate and are regular visitors at their English-style manor owned by Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley that is built in the colonial era. Every day shortly before 9 am, the mammoth beasts stroll up to the house and poke their heads through the windows and doors in search of morning treats. Married owners Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley literally share their dining table with them. And now the pair are sharing the mesmerizing experience with the outside world - by opening the manor gates to guests at the world’s only giraffe hotel. Mr and Mrs Carr-Hartley, both 38, spent their childhood living close to the house in Nairobi and have both always been fascinated with the graceful giants.In the shadow of Kenya’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest animals are free to roam their 140-acre estate and are regular visitors at their English-style manor built in the colonial era.
Every day shortly before 9 am, the mammoth beasts stroll up to the house and poke their heads through the windows and doors in search of morning treats.Married owners Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley literally share their dining table with them. And now the pair are sharing the mesmerizing experience with the outside world - by opening the manor gates to guests at the world’s only giraffe hotel. Mr and Mrs Carr-Hartley, both 38, spent their childhood living close to the house in Nairobi and have both always been fascinated with the graceful giants. Mrs Carr-Hartley said:
‘Mikey and I grew up near to this manor house when we were children.‘We are both third generation Kenyans who have always wanted to work in conservation.‘Mikey’s family have been involved in the protection of animals for many generations.‘His granddad was even involved in the relocation of giraffes as far back as the 1930s. Moving the giraffes ensured their protection and continued existence.‘When the house came up for sale, we jumped at the chance to buy it as we had always dreamed of one day owning it.‘We are now absolutely overjoyed to be involved with the protection of this very endangered species.



Tall order: A rare Rothschild giraffe joins the breakfast table at the Carr-Hartley family's manor house in Kenya

 
High tea: Tanya Carr-Hartley feeds one of the tall mammals - one of eight on their estate - from a window

Giraffic park: A gentle giant towers in front of the English-style manor house which guests can pay to stay in

Courtesy: Dailymail

Baby elephant helped up by his mother after taking a nasty tumble

He won't forget that fall!

The extraordinary scene was captured on camera by Brit Mark Bowler in the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Mr Bowler, a conservation biologist from Edinburgh, Scotland, was just two feet away when the calf fell. A little elephant is clinging on to its mothers trunk as it tries to climb up a steep bank - but slips through its mothers grasp and end up with all four legs and trunk flailing in the air. The youngster had been lifted into the air by his mum when he struggled to scale the tricky obstacle but fell into the dust rather unceremoniously. Eventually, it stumbled back up on its feet and the mother elephant led it to a smaller and more manageable part of the bank to climb.

Rumble tumble: The calf is falling with its legs in the air helplessly looking up towards its mother

 The 37-year-old Mark said: 'There were about 50 in the herd. They were running as they crossed the road and went up the bank, which was about waist high. ‘The babies struggled to get over and the mothers started to get a bit concerned - there was lots of deep rumbling and ear flapping going on.

The little calf reach for its mother as she wraps her trunk around it to carry it up the bank when it struggled to scale the tricky obstacle.

Slipping: Even with its mothers extra help, the little elephant calf loses its footing and slides down the bank

‘I admit I was scared but there was nowhere I could go - my car was surrounded. ‘There was a very small elephant, which needed help getting up the bank. The mother tried pulling the calf up from the top but she then dropped it. ‘At one point the baby was with all four legs in the air, mouth open and trunk flailing. It was certainly struggling but after it fell the mood seemed to change and it looked sulky rather than excited.

The calf looks a bit dazed as he lays in the dirt after falling over following his climbing. The scene was captured in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

‘After this the mother became more concerned with comforting her offspring than the rush to get up the bank. ‘She eventually changed her tactics and led the baby to a less steep route.’ He added: ‘It all happened very fast and the adrenaline was pumping. I have never seen anything quite the same before or since. ‘I can almost feel the deep rumble and my own heart rate going up even when I look at the images now.’

After giving up on pulling her baby up the bank,
the mother steps down and takes the calf around to an easier route (courtesy: dailymail)