SANParks.org Forums

thanks AAT

@ ALL

I have seen several questions about top 10 of tuskers in Kruger NP

I just added a Top 10 to my tusker site at the main page , you can't miss it.

Top 10 based on length and thickness of the tusks and my own "judgement".
The exact sequence can be different but overall I think they are the 10 Big Boys

Well, I just learned from Aat that I have had a named ellie in my archive since 2009 and didn't know it. Say hello to Mahlahini

Look who was on the Satara webcam this evening !

What is name of this Elephant??

Hi vinkie,

Not enough detail for me to ID this chap - Aat, you are better at this, can you ID ?

Looking at this tusker I think it is Malopenyama (so far seen in Letaba area) but very well possible he covers a bigger area like many other tuskers. Going after the ladies can make them active for a nice "walk" ...

We know that some tuskers stay at "home" forever and others like to travel.... almost like us humans...
Condsider Mac as big traveller... walking from Timbavati area up to Shingwedzi , down to Letaba etcetera...
Just received tracking report from STE ans Mac is at the "border" between timbavati area and kruger np , proably moving to mopani / shingwedzi again...

Hi Aat,

I thought these two were reasonable tuskers. Are they familiar?

Saw this one just south of Shimuwini. He has a distinct "floppy" right ear.



And this one we saw on the Tropic of Capricorn.

wildtuinman
First one unknown to me , but second one (Tropic of Capricorn) is NWAMBU to my opinion. The notch in the right ear is visible. Tusk length and shape are same as some pics I have of him.

I thought these two were reasonable tuskers. Are they familiar?

Saw this one just south of Shimuwini. He has a distinct "floppy" right ear.


And this one we saw on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Thanks Aat! Excellent work you doing here.

I am sure I have more photos of the first one. Will pass it on to you soon.

Hello wildtuinman,

The floppy ear tusker you show above is 99% sure to be the same one I posted on p170 of this thread.

Note the small rectangular notch on the bottom of the floppy ear as well as the tiny notch further
back [ lower on a normal ear ].

Your photo also show a longer left tusk similar to my photos.

100 ponder, that is for sure the same elephant, how interesting!

Here is another one seen at Bowkerskop. It sports with only one tusk on the right hand side. Seen on 07/07/2012.

Hi Wildtuinman,

I am convinced the Bowkerskop tusker is Murhumbini.

The area is correct, the tusk length and curve is correct
and the little splinter off the top side of the tusk is
similar to photo 2 & 5 on page one of Murhumbini on Aat's
website.

It is good to see the recognized tuskers are being seen
quite often these days.

Gerrie.

Hi all,

A few observations on wildtuinman's 2nd photo of Marhumbini :-

The askari in the foreground is approx 15 - 20 years old and Marhumbini approx 45.

Compare the right front foot of the young askari to Marhumbini's right front foot - Marhumbini's
front foot is really massive !

Note that the young askari is standing on slightly higher ground than Marhumbini but Marhumbini's
shoulders are still higher than the askari's.

Note that Marhubini's body length from base of tail to base of trunk is notably longer than the
askari's body.

In view of the fact that all bull elephants start of with thin "tooth pick" tusks, the remaining part
of Murhambini's tusk indicates that he had already worn off and length of tusk equal to the young
askari's tusk.