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Thanx Imberbe, sad news indeed. The old guy is truly at his end.
Hope that in the near future the Letaba Elephant museum will be extended to feature his story and tusks...

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That is old photos taken by Bucky of the first tusk.

He broke this tusk in the same manner as the first. He was busy digging up roots, when it snapped.

According to the section ranger Duke is still in a good condition (for his age). But yes, the old man is getting on in age. He is a stately old man. Who knows how long he will still be with us!

Thanks Imberbe for the confirmation, sad indeed.....
But as you said, luckily they could retrieve the tusk...

This is such sad news, but very glad they could locate and retrieve his tusk.
Thanks for the updates Imberbe.

Thank you Imberbe for the update!

Gosh - this is a sad day.

10 days ago, I was very lucky to see both Tsotsi and Hlanganini in the Letaba area. What amazed me, was eventhough it was pretty obvious these two elephant were different and special, not many people seem to appreciate that and just glanced at them and drove on.

The same happened the day I saw Duke, some three years ago now. Folk just glanced and drove on - little realising just how special it is to sit a while with this 'stately old man' as Imberbe calls him.

Oh sad sad news that, but I suppose inevitable at some stage. I am so glad that at least I too have seen him, even though only back view clearly, I did see his one remaining tusk sidewards on through the trees and bushes, He looked so proud and stately then.

I am so pleased that at least they have found his second tusk too. That is good news.

This is very sad news indeed. We were priviledged to see Duke passing right in front of our car near Duke's waterhole. It was about 4 years ago and he was accompanied by 2 askari's. It was amazing to see how he had to keep his head up to prevent the tusks from touching the ground!

Maybe it is easier for him at this stage of his life without the tusks. Looks to me like a big ball and chain.

Confirmation Duke broke his other tusk. He was spotted by Mpanamana concession game drive early this morning. I went out to confirm that it was in fact Duke. It was him, by the looks of it he broke the tusk a couple of days ago. He was walking with four other bulls this morning. See attached photographs.



The last time he was spotted with his one tusk was on the S28 tourist road last week some time. We started back tracking his spoor low and behold lady luck was on our side and we found the tusk were he was again digging up tree roots. The outside curve measured approximately 1.56m and it weighs approximately 32kg. His condition still
Will try to post the pics soon

The above message and these photos came via the honorary rangers

its not all doom and gloom....maybe he is chuffed! He doesnt have the weight to contend with and now those scum poachers will leave him alone....

Also see TUSK

My children and I saw him on the road near his waterhole on Thursday afternoon without the tusks. I showed the children that he had two broken tusks and wondered if it was Duke at the time. Now it confirms it. We specially went to look for him and how sad that he must have just lost the tusk then. First sighting of him.

That is terrible news!

I won't ever see Duke with his tusks...... and probably not alive as well!
He must really like those roots!

At least we saw Tsotsi and Hlanganini in Letaba and Olifants respectively in June. That makes Hlanganini the biggest current tusker right?