@jasperdoest

After talking to the scientists about photographing forest elephants in Gabon, it became clear that we needed to be very careful. Forest elephants are extremely quiet when they move through the forest and since they can’t see very well, they charge everything that smells or sounds suspicious. So when my assistant @briceroxan suggested to track the elephants on foot, I got a bit nervous. But what an experience! Brice was absolutely amazing and knew how to read the forest like no other. I’m so grateful for the opportunities to observe these magnificent beings up close and personal. We often had to move fast, not because they’d charge us (they only did once in 2 months time) but to make sure we wouldn’t be cornered by different groups. So I often had to run through the jungle, trying to keep up with Brice while carrying the big lenses 😅. Couldn’t help singing CCR songs in the back of my mind. Photo @jasperdoest #onassignment @natgeo in #Gabon. The story is currently published in the May edition of the magazine, which is a special issue dedicated to the state of the world’s forests.