An elephant taking exaggerated sideways steps, to manoeuvre rapidly into a new position that is immediately to the elephant’s left or right. This movement is classically seen by adult males (usually in musth) during Duelling or Escalated-Contests where a male tries to manoeuvre himself into a better position. It may similarly be observed among males during Sparring.
Little E is 8 days old. He is under the feet of his mother and allomothers on the left. Latino has been off somewhere else and suddenly returns. She Sashays in from the bushes Rapid-Ear-Flapping and Greeting-Rumbling as she approaches the others. Lorato and another display Tail-Raising and Lorato Backs-Toward Latino. Lorato and Grumpy Grandma (in the foreground) also display Rapid-Ear-Flapping. The second section is a close-up of the same behavior. (Maasai Mara, Kenya)
