SANParks.org Forums

Philip`,
Yes Philip .... it is with pain but disappoinment , a big disappointment.
I have spend about an average of 20 hours per week with ID'ing for so many, keeping this updated, a thread with so many views here, answerring many pm's for ID's helping out with delivering pictures for auctions and other things but not even a recognition or nomination

Sad news Aat that you are going to stop most activities at this forum for the Big Tuskers.

Hi Aat

I have the greatest respect for you and always enjoy your contributions to the tusker info bank available to all of us. I have always thought of you as a nature lover who shares his passion with others!
Now I discover I was wrong -- you only did this work for nominations! So now -- no nominations, no Aat!!??
And even the nomination for 2010 is suddenly worth nothing -- just take it back?

Maybe this is all just a joke?

Aat, we enjoy your trip reports, we enjoy your tusker website. Thank you for your contribution. Don't let anybody spoil your day!

God bless,
Friedrich von Horsten

Ps.
I was fascinated to see a lovely tusker at Punda Maria entrance gate -- 30m from the gate. Really lovely elephant. Where do I now post it so that you can enjoy it? Do let me know.
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=welcome#!/p ... 5268841413

Friedrich,
I sent you a PM to explain a few things.

Got several PM's and mails so let me be clear about a few things:
Sure I will not let my tusker friends down and continue with ID's here and the Tusker site.

So Friedrich and others, keep on posting tusker pics here, the place to to be for them and to share with all other tuskermites.

(I am just not doing any other extra things anymore and for now and future I am not interested in any nomination , being together with my tusker friends is enough. Let me just say that some things are clear to me and that's it.)

Morning Aat,

Thanks for the pm --it makes sense. But don't give up on the forum!

God bless,

Friedrich von Horsten

So here are the pics I took end of September...

The brown elephant was right at Punda Maria entrance gate – he has nice thick tusks, with virtually perfect ears.



This elephant in thick green bush = on H7 right next to the Timbavati river, about 15 km from Orpen gate. Note the jagged right ear.




I suppose the Punda elephant is still too young, butit looks like he haspotential.
The Orpen elephant looks more substantial. Does he perhaps have a name?

God bless,

Friedrich von Horsten

Friedrich,
The one near Punda Maria is unknown to me , not a named one but idd , looks like a potential one for future based on his thick tusks and I agree with you, think he is a young guy

The other one is Ma_Xangane , ID by his ragged ear with several notches.

Hi Aat,

Thanks for the ID. I hope he becomes a big tusker!

I last saw MaXangane at Letaba two years ago, and never dreamed of seeing him so far south. Glad he is still alive and well.

God bless,

Friedrich von Horsten

Hi Aat, I suppose I am one of those who could have put in a nomination for you but due to my narrow field of interest on the FORUMS I was not even aware of the process of getting "horns" above your avatar. [ I don't even have an avatar myself ! ]

Any-case, your posting has now resulted in me finding out how KUDU HORNS "work" - now I must still find out how to nominate a person.

But, be it as it may, you are doing a great job on the Big Tuskers thread, please don't let the current situation come between you and sharing your interest with like-minded people. Judging from these pages there is a lot of us with a Big Tusker interest and your contributions form a major part of the fun on this thread.

Also, your TUSKERSOFAFRICA website has now been established as a general reference document and it will be interesting to know how many people use it and for what purposes. I am sure it is the Big Tusker tracker with the highest public participation - I doubt if SANPARKS have any-thing more complete and will not be surprised if they actually refer to it from time to time.

So old chap, don't despair and keep up your participation.

I am sure there is a large silent bunch of us out there who REALLY appreciate your work and contributions.

Lettie and Gerrie

Lettie and Gerrie,

Actually is has nothing to do with the kudu horns but with nominations every year for active forumites with added value to the forums etc....
Wel.... let me say this, I was surprized about the number of (supporting) reactions I received per email.

My conclusion is to go on with the activities here for the Big Tusker forum and all Tuskermites.
Let's stay together as a group with our special interest for these giants. So IDíng, commenting and updating my or maybe better our tuskersite is the thing I will continue.
My friends here are more important then any other thing at this site.

I know how quickly things can go sour here. Especially when you get blind-sided after only trying to help and contribute.

Always remember there are a couple hundred forumites out there that don't give a hoot! We only want an informative, fun forum. And your topic is just that. Gosh, you helped us on our last trip with Machachule and Nwanedzi! I often read here and on your own site just for purely interest sake. NEVER let awards, kudu horns and acknowlegdement from management, staff or moderators influence you, Aat. It will drive you nuts.

Just be Aat, our tusker man.

Guinea Pig,
Thanks !!! Nothing to add to these words and let's stop about the subject , just as a human being I expressed a feeling. Let's roll and ID and inform and post etc....

Friedrich,

I have to make you a bit "happier" if possible concerning your sightings.
The tusker you have seen as you said near Punda Maria is RICEHO
I was looking at your pictures again and "something" told me... I know this guy... and so could ID him as Riceho. New to me is that was moving more north , other sightings were in the Shingwedzi area but... many bulls are "shopping" in other area's, it's just a day-walk (or 2) for them Shingwedzi > Punda Maria.


@ ALL - Back to "business" , just updated the tusker site with 7 updates :
Machachule, Nkombo, Mpenza, Mavatsani, Riceho and Mandzemba (all by Bushbuddies) and Marhumbini by Dawie Fourie.

BTW Dawie is busy with a team to make replica's from Duke's tusks and I hope to see him and the replica's next week near Crocodile Bridge. He is also working on a book about Duke.
I am glad I could help him with pictures of Duke

One request , almost mission impossible but no try, no result.... Does anyone has pictures of Duke made BEFORE 1991 , if so...please let me know.

This was last update of the site before I fly to kruger next sunday

Hi Aat, nice to know the ellies also like to shop around......

I've send you an ellie before, but he is still on the "up-and-coming" list.
I follow the "Big Tuskers" topic every day and visits to your website!

LOVE what you do!!!! and your website is absolutely Phenomenal!!!
Thanx for the hard work and dedication!!!

Enjoy your trip to Kruger and the tusks, waiting your posts on your return.

Thanks Super Mongoose for your very nice words !!

About this "shopping around"
It is funny to look at the tuskers and their "moves" Some tuskers do stay their whole life in a smaller area like Machachule (shingwedzi), Marhumbini (mopani) and many others, in contradiction with some other tuskers like Mac (timbavati > letaba > shingwedzi) ,Nwashinangana (Satara > timbavati > Tshokwane/Lower sabie) and Madolo (covering all areas in the south) and again some others do "travel" up and down between a few area's like Ngodzi between Mopani and Letaba and late Duke between Crocodile Bridge and Tshokwane.
I known by tracking reports that Mac has a kind of fixed pattern through the year and repeting this every year. It's just fascinating