Identified Tuskers of Kruger National Park

[aat]

NGUNYUPEZI

Named by SANParks in 2008 for the Emerging Tuskers competition.

Characteristics
Left tusk is much longer then the right. The left tusk has grown with the curve backwards towards the body.

Range
Shingwedzi

Tuskers of Africa - Ngunyupezi

[okie]

Ngodzi and a younger friend seen on the shade of a tree, south of Mopani, on 19th October 2014

[aat]

NKOKODZI

Characteristics
Right ear: 2 smaller notches at the lower part, a big notch in the center and a hole just under the big notch. Left ear: A notch in the lower part.
Tusks: Both tusks curved upwards. Left tusk a bit higher then right, right tusk thicker.

Range
Shingwedzi

Shingwedzi Area, May 2011

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[aat]

NKOMBO

This bull has been named by STE.

Characteristics
Collared, left ear small notches near the center and hole in the upper part of the earlobe. Almost straight tusks and almost equal in length.
Lost his collar in 2014.

Range
Shingwedzi

Tuskers of Africa - Nkombo

[Toko]

Nkombo, 26th August 2010, Shingwedzi



Video:

[leachy]

nkombo, 6 oct 2012

(i must just check with richprins if that is in fact a collar around his neck ???)



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.
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he wandered up the river bank just below where i was parked

and began snacking on some of the fresh new growths..

[aat]

Shingwedzi, 30 April & 2 May 2014

April 30 2014. Driving "home" to Shingwedzi camp.

Looking at the other side of the riverbed I see a tusker so, parking and trying to find out "who" is this... recognizing the tusks, this must be Nkombo! But, where is his collar? Looking again and again... no doubt it must be Nkombo
Part 1 of the Nkombo story:

He was just coming from the river

He likes climbing hills near riverbeds




end of part 1...but another day, May 2nd late afternoon and returning to Shingwedzi camp after a drive.


Part 2:
Nkombo again in the riverbed.
Like I said at the beginnen of this "monitoring" report you hope your favorite animal comes closer... well, he did and how

coming from the river after toothbrushing, a fresh and clean Nkombo



Can't help it but I automatically started some whispering "come my friend, like to make some new internet pics of you"





and then.... coming so close, a bit of heartpounding (sometimes a (tusker)passion can be so rewarding )



even more closer... could see his eye and I think I gave him a



I saw him first in 2011 and now 2014... very good condition and tusks growing well too, amazing to see a single animal in this huge area again. Specially after the sightings with Kaleka and Ngodzi, also seen them before. Feeling really privileged by this.
Another special thing was... while watching Nkombo I met my tusker friend R Brett, we made an appointment for that day in Shingwedzi. Great to share this moments with another tusker lover, our cars at short distance from each other. One of these days

Nkombo crossed the road and still eating he disappeared in the bush....
A last shot



Then the collar... R Brett found a collar near the Confluence loop... so that could be the reason he did not have it anymore.
Next day I searched for it and just by opening my door I could take it. handed it over to the ranger with the suggestion to ask STE (Save the Elephants) if they could say more about the number on the collar.

[okie]

Nkombo - seen on 20th October 2014 in the Shingwedzi riverbed

[okie]

Nkombo in the Shingwedzi riverbed on 24th October 2014

[aat]

NSHAWANI

Characteristics
Almost clean right ear, only a small hole in the lower part of the earlobe, a u-shaped notch in the left ear with a loose piece of skin and just above this notch a smaller v-shaped notch. The left tusk is broken. The right tusk is long and shaped in a classical way.

Range
Mopani

Tuskers of Africa - Nshawani