Despite its small stature, this little crane dares to stand up against a herd of gigantic elephants to protect its family, driven by an indomitable spirit.
Throughout history, there has always been the belief that “the strong are the victors” or “the strong prevail over the weak.” Some argue that this is a fundamental truth and use it as a standard for their entire lives.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that “the strong are the victors” is not an absolute truth, as many factors determine who the “winner” is, whether they are “strong” or “weak.”
Life presents countless crossroads; to overcome obstacles, triumph over adversity, and reach success, one needs more than just strength—willpower is essential.
A strong and resilient will possesses immense power, enabling individuals to surmount difficult challenges to achieve their goals and defeat their opponents. This is evident in the clip below, where a small crane uses its will to thwart the “invasion” of the largest land animals.
The clip was recorded by Tayla McCurdy, a presenter who filmed live during an experiential trip to the Greater Kruger Reserve in South Africa.
On that day, while traveling through Maasai Mara, Tayla McCurdy encountered a grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum), a species listed as endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Standing about 1 meter tall and weighing around 4 kg when fully grown, the grey crowned crane is a large bird that inhabits grasslands, rivers, and wetlands in East and Southern Africa. Its most distinctive feature is its golden feathered crown. The plumage is primarily grey with a light grey neck and black and white wings.
They also have an attractive bright red pouch beneath their beak. The grey crowned crane is particularly captivating when performing dances and using alluring calls to attract mates, making it one of the most fascinating displays among bird species.
The crane jumps in front of the herd of elephants, threatening to prevent them from approaching the area where it has laid its eggs.
As one of the few species that only live in Africa, the grey crowned crane is chosen as a national bird by several countries and even serves as a national symbol.
Recognizing the rarity of this bird, McCurdy’s group decided to stop and film it for documentation.
Suddenly, while the grey crowned crane was tending to its eggs, a massive herd of elephants casually walked into the crane’s territory to graze.
According to McCurdy, it was difficult to distinguish whether the crane was male or female; however, putting that minor detail aside, it was still ready to jump in front of the elephants, threatening them to stop their advance towards the egg-laying area.
The elephant appeared surprised by the crane’s somewhat “audacious” behavior and seemed curious as to why such a small creature would be so bold. Despite the size difference, the crane charged at the elephant, flapping its wings continuously in front of it. Ultimately, the elephant became irritated, attempting to push the crane away with its trunk, but eventually gave up and moved in another direction, leaving the crane family behind.
