Identified Tuskers of Kruger National Park

[aat]

During our trip from november 26th 2011 till december 14th 2011.


On almost running out of time for closing time at Mopani

NSHAWANI , you just can see his big right tusk

[aat]

NTOMBAZANA

Named by SANParks.

Characteristics
Small V-shaped notch in left ear and about 10cm above this notch he has a hole. Some small notches in right ear near the centre of his ear lobe.
Left tusk more curved then right one.

Range
Mopani - Letaba

Near Mooiplaas, February 2009

Picture7.png (726.71 KiB) Viewed 815 times

[BluTuna]

November 2009

Ntombazana the Elephant (thanks to Aat for an amazing ID). We'd never seen an adult Elephant in this pose. Elephants have trouble breathing when they lie down and we thought he was dead. Fortunately he'd gotten up and moved on we went back later to check!

[aat]

NWAMBU

Characteristics
Right ear: U-shaped notch and small loose piece of skin (center), left ear: small piece of loose skin (center).
Tusks: almost same length, widely spread and left a bit more curved.

Range
Mopani

Tuskers of Africa - Nwambu

[aat]

During our trip from november 26th 2011 till december 14th 2011.


As Tusker whisperer… (some do think I am…., don’t know why…)
I met NWAMBU , one of the named tuskers , so always a highlight
This one included the location where I found him…so nice

[aat]

RICEHO

Characteristics
Both ears are clean. Classic and thick tusks.

Range
Shingwedzi

Tuskers of Africa - Riceho

[nan]

RICEHO




Shingwedzi - 3. 4. 2011 - 13h08



1. 4. 20011 - 06h19

[Richprins]

2011











Full story here!

[aat]

26 November 2012

Big Boys are Beautiful

For the ones knowing me a bit better it will be not a surprise this story is about Tuskers
Big and / or promising tuskers. Tuskers are : Fascinating , Special, Impressing and very very Interesting.
I am also writing this story to try to convince the visitors of Kruger and other (south) african areas and countries to pay extra attention to these gentle giants. Make photo’s and post them at the Tusker thread

After this introduction just one more reason to pay extra attention …. The number of Big Tuskers is less then most rare animals / species in Kruger…. So it is a great privilege to meet one.

Coming to the story… I like to present you 5 named tuskers I met during my last trip to Kruger (nov-dec 2012)


First one I like to show is RICEHO
I met him just south of Shingwedzi camp along the main road.
Very nice tusker with promising tusks, growing well and both tusks are thick
I could get close to him, he was very relaxed and friendly. A bit of “whispering” and he was posing as it should be.

First contact… coming towards you and looking at each other … are you relaxed ?




Getting closer and saying Hi…. Don’t laugh but I am always talking to them as a friend… in whisper mode telling him that he will be on the internet with new pictures… making him proud



It’s great to get close and just look at him… eating in a reaxed way.

[aat]

SHABAKHADZI

Characteristics
Both ears are clean. Classic shaped tusks.

Range
Mopani area (Nshawu - Mooiplaas - Tihongonyeni)

Tuskers of Africa - Shabakhadzi