African Elephant

[Lisbeth]

It's called a starling

[Toko]

Big guy

[Bushcraft]

Where was that Moggie, was it Duke I can't see a collar though

[Flutterby]

It's called a starling

Looks like it could be Duke.

[leachy]

astounding tusker indeed.

i also think it is duke

[Amoli]

Taken from KNP write-ups - In memory of Duke :

The Kruger National Park is home to some of Africa’s most beautiful wild animals, including thousands of African elephants.
These impressive creatures are the largest terrestrial mammals in the world, and are also known for being highly intelligent.

Sadly, the oldest Kruger Park elephant, known as Duke, passed away, at the ripe old age of fifty-five.

Tourists on Kruger Park safaris were always on the lookout for Duke, and the rangers who knew him speak fondly of his gentle nature.
Duke was one of the Kruger National Park’s “Emerging Tuskers”, and spent his days roaming the southern areas of the reserve, between Lower Sabie and Crocodile Bridge.
Last year ((?) the elephant was fitted with a tracking collar so that Kruger Park rangers could monitor his movements more closely.

Here are some more interesting facts about the famous Kruger Park elephant:
• Duke was named after Thomas Duke, a ranger who worked at Lower Sabie from 1903 to 1923.
• The gentle giant was one of Kruger Park’s largest tuskers, and was also thought to be one of the largest elephants in the world.
• The elephant had a number of unique features that helped Kruger Park guests identify him; these included a square notch in his left ear, with a hole above it.
• Duke was known for having a relaxed attitude and was not at all shy when it came to photography! The majestic elephant was regularly seen along the main tourist roads in his area of the Kruger Park, enjoying the attention of excited tourists – and he soon became one of the most-photographed elephants in the game reserve.
• Duke had an impressive set of tusks, although he broke the left one when trying to uproot a tree, and later broke the right one in a similar attempt.

Rangers at the Kruger Park recovered the elephant’s beautiful ivory tusks, which are kept safe at the Skukuza ivory stores.

A Kruger Park spokesman told press “Although Duke was old, we are very saddened by this magnificent old bull’s passing”. He added that local and international visitors on 4 day Kruger Park safaris were long-time fans of the elephant, and would often ask about him.

They say an elephant never forgets, and in turn we can be sure that this very special Kruger Park elephant will never be forgotten.

[Flutterby]

Tx Amoli!

[Moggiedog]

I may be wrong - but if I remember correctly was Mashagadzi of Shingwedzi.

[Amoli]

From the old to the new...

(This pics have been posted on TT's before)

[Toko]

Encounter of two elephant groups at the water hole: Two ellies, from different groups, greet one another by gentle touches with their trunks.

Mapungubwe National Park

Elephant Gestures Database

Trunk-Twining
Mutual entwining of trunks may occur during both low and high intensity greetings. As seen between greeting and sparring males the entwining of trunks is slow and sensual; whereas between female relatives during a bonding or greeting ceremony the action is more sudden and dramatic, like a sudden clasping of another during a human greeting. This higher intensity version is known as Trunk-Grasping.