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This is such sad news!!!
Thanks for the pic's PJW.

Wow, and now I will never see him. He would be very hard to find if he was in the distance. Very sad news but very pleased his tusk was found so he can be remembered for the great tusker he was.

Hi all,

Below a message from KNP Spokesman for us:


Hi Folks

I can confirm that Duke has lost his other tusk. Crocodile Bridge Section Ranger Neels van Wyk called me on Monday morning to say that he was looking at the old boy and that he had bad news. The other tusk was broken.

Duke was spotted by a game drive from Shishangeni Concession Lodge early on Monday morning (September 1, 2008), on the actual concession area. Neels says that, apart from the lack of ivory, Duke appeared fine and was “happily feeding along”. He was in company with four Askaris. The last time Duke was reported to Neels (sometime last week), he was on the S28. This road runs adjacent the western boundary of the concession so it makes sense that Duke was discovered sans the tusk only a short time after it broke.

Neels and his team backtracked Duke’s spoor and, as “Lady Luck” was obviously smiling down on them, they were able to find the tusk a short distance away. Evidence shows that he was (again) digging up tree roots – which is thought to be the reason why the other tusk broke. The tusk recovered weighs approximately 32 kgs and the outside curve measures 1,56 metres.

This is only the second time that a broken tusk from a known elephant has been recovered and that can positively be identified as belonging to that elephant. The last time was when Duke lost his first tusk.

Most elephant experts have told me since then that it was perhaps expected and that we shouldn’t be surprised about this. I tend to agree – he was obviously putting a lot of strain on the remaining tusk. But perhaps think of it this way: Duke is now balanced and probably more comfortable.

Some photographs:









Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

Thanx DB, I also thought he would be more comfortable now. Who would like log all that ivory around at his ripe old age? I would still love to see him again.

JenB - I am sure him having less ivory will never detract from the wisdom of the years in Kruger that old bull has. I could just sense it the time we spent with him. Being one of the blessed ones, we were able to spend a good a while watching him right next to the S28 in 2005.

How is he going to get to his favorite roots now? With his foot?

Is that not part of the askari's function? To assist the old bulls?

DB, you are so right! We met him only once, was in 1995 on our way home. At the time we did not know who he was, we just knew he was a very special animal. We sat watching him until he pulled his head up to lift the tusks off the ground and disappeared into the bush. You mentioned in your TR about many people driving past without looking, well there were many who missed a few very precious moments rushing for the gate. I watched every TV program, read every magazine but only when I stumbles across this website did I realize it was him! What I remember most of all was his gentle nature, just going about his business as the cars pushed past him. I would feel honoured to see him again, the tusks are minor as far as I'm concerned.

Hi DB, agree that there is a lot of wisdom in that old head. The askaris are still hanging around proving that there is a lot they could pick up from him.

Regret that I never got to see him with both tusks but very content to have seen him for about 1.5 hours on 3rd August 2008 on S28.

Thanks for the "official" info DB and KNP Spokesman.

I have seen him with both his tusks, with only one tusk and sincerely hope I can get to see him without his magnificent ivory as well.

He is such a gentle, noble giant and one wonders at all the things he has seen and done over the years, so much wisdom accumulated and how many kms he has walked in his life time?

No, the myth of the Askari has grown beyond reality. One adult elephant will not assist another to feed, especially not amongst the males. Yes, elephant do associate with each other, and there is learning and social interaction taking place. But, unlike the female herds, these associations amongst males are not permanent.

Many elephant do not have the use of long tusks, to get to roots. They expose the roots by pushing over the tree, and / or digging with their feet. Duke will have to make major adaptions to his way of feeding, but that should pose no problem to him.

Also, summer is coming up, during which their feeding focus on grasses. Roots and bark play a bigger part during winter feeding, when grass is not readily available or has lost most of its nutritional value.

In the Beeld article it is mentioned that both the tusks will be moved to the Letaba elephant museum and be presented on display.

I have send out an email to enquire about the truth with regards to this and will inform you when I get feedback.

I think it would be awesome to be able to admire Duke's tusks at close quarters in the museum.

My SO and I spend some time with Duke on Saturday morning the 23 of August (the weekend before).

It was along the S28 at the turnoff to Shishangeni Concession Lodge. He and two askaris browsed far from the road. We waited...

He eventually got close and rest against a tree...

It's sad to hear about his second tusk. We travel frequently to the park and have never been abled to track Duke down. Hope our chance will come soon.