Baby elephant Zaiya learns how to protect herself from the sun and insects… after copying her mum
A baby elephant named Zaiya was photographed at Blackpool Zoo learning to protect herself from the sun and biting insects by copying her mother, who tossed sand over her own body using her trunk. The behaviour, known as "dusting", is a natural form of sun protection akin to sunscreen, and offers an endearing example of how young elephants acquire vital survival skills by observing adults in their herd.
According to zoo photographer Alison Allen, dusting shields elephants' surprisingly sensitive skin from harmful UV rays and sunburn, deters flies, mosquitoes and parasites, aids thermoregulation, and helps lock in moisture after bathing. The grit also soothes existing insect bites and helps the animals shed dead skin when they later rub against trees. Allen noted that Zaiya was seen mastering the technique with her trunk, learning through "alloparenting" — a practice in which adult female elephants collectively share caregiving duties and teach youngsters essential skills.
- Baby elephant Zaiya learns "dusting" behaviour from her mother at Blackpool Zoo
- Sand-throwing protects elephants from UV rays, sunburn and insects
- Young elephants learn skills via "alloparenting" from adult females in the herd
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Zaiya is a baby elephant at Blackpool Zoo, and the story centres on a photograph showing her learning "dusting" – throwing sand over her own body with her trunk, a technique she picked up by watching her mother do it. Dusting is a natural behaviour elephants use for protection, much like sunscreen, and the image has drawn attention as a charming illustration of how young elephants learn.
The mother's role matters here because young elephants develop many survival skills by copying older animals in their group, a process known as alloparenting, where several adult females help raise and teach the calves together. Dusting itself serves several practical purposes: it shields sensitive elephant skin from sunburn, wards off biting insects such as flies and mosquitoes, helps regulate body temperature, and locks in moisture after bathing.
The story matters because it highlights both an endearing developmental milestone for Zaiya and a wider point about how elephant herds pass on essential knowledge from one generation to the next.