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I don't know if this is quiz is somewhere else on a thread, so redirect me if this has been done before.

I've always been interested in the great Tuskers - past, present and emerging...

So let's start - who's this fellow?



Pic courtesy Johan Marais

Shilowa possibly ?

Sorry - no Mikev

Both Shilowa and this bull died in the previous century a few months apart....

NHLANGULENE .

Nope Mikev - Nhlangulene died in 1987...Shilowa and this bull died a bit later.

That could be TSHOKWANE then , however I thought Tshokwane's right tusk was longer than the left so the photo is not conclusive .

Tshokwane's right tusk was longer than the left (both were actually broken at different places shorlty before his death) and he also died in 1998 - but he's not the one in the pic.

The mystery Tusker's distinguishing caracter is in his left ear - and it can be seen clearly in the pic.

Now I know (well think I do) after all the clues .

Maybe someone else also wants to get involved ?

I agree Mikev - I know it is hard to recognise them off hand - there are so many of them, but the pic posted clearly identifies him... plus I will give many, many clues

Anybody else want to do some research?

Mandhevhu ?
Origin of Name: Named in memory of Douw ‘Swannie’ Swanepoel who served in the Kruger National Park as a ranger from 1982 – 2001 (Mandhevhu meaning ‘beard’ was given to Swannie due to the wild red beard he always sported during his time in the Kruger National Park)
Range: 7km south of Mopani up to Shingwedzi
Special Features: Small hole in left ear lobe towards the lower middle of the lobe and he point at the bottom of the lobe, as well as small wide v-shaped a notch towards the top of the same lobe. Right tusk shows signs of being broken some time back and has since smoothed over and grown in length. From sightings by Johan Marais it would appear that one of his back legs is stiff so he walks with an audible "sleepvoet".

Thanks for also joining Nurse Bev - unfortunately this is not Mandhevhu... the main difference is that Mandhevhu is still alive, and this bull died in 1998...

Another tip - and I'm sure this will be the giveaway - is that before this bull's death he was wrongly identified as a new tusker and given a new name - it was later discovered that it was infact already named - so this bull has 2 names....

sorry missed the bit that he had died

Mlondozi ( Mafagahamba) died 11 oct '98.

Correct Nurse Bev - I knew that last clue would give it away...



Mlondozi had ragged ears with a distinctive cut at the bottom of the left ear leaving a loose notch with a small hole next to it (circled in the pic)

His range was generally Lower Sabie but also as far south as Crocodile Bridge and north up to Tshokwane.

When he was incorrectly identified as a new tusker he was given the name "Mafagalamba" hence he had 2 names.

Was this your guess too Mikev?

If you don't mind I'll post another pic to celebrate my 100th post:



Pic courtesy Johan Marais