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I, by chance, found some interesting reading on the African forest elephants that are found in Central and Western Africa. Seems that they have only recently, through DNA testing, discovered that the Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cycloti) is a completely different specie than the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana).
Before this discovery it was believed that there were only two different species of elephants in the world: the African savannah elephant and the Asian elephant, (Elephas maximus). The elephants that were found in the forests of these African countries were believed to be Savannah elephants that merely adjusted to forest living.
Now some scientists even believe that the difference between the Forest elephants and the Savannah elephants are as much as the difference between tigers and lions.

This got me thinking about the possibility that the elephants that were found (are still found) in the Knysna forest, were actually African forest elephants? Do any of you know whether this was ever determined…Seahorse?

According to this and this, the forest elephants are smaller than the savannah elephants and their tusks are straighter and thinner…also has more rounded ears.

Where do the desert elephants of Damaraland, Namibia fit into this scenario, Jumbo. Any Idea?

Found this article on evidence of Knysna ellies today.

Photos taken by Hylton Herd - Chief SANparks forester for the Garden Route, (with the help of SANparks' ellie trackers & forest guards) on 22 March '07, near Jubilee Creek:





Apparently the above ellie is the same lonely creature as the one that featured in the Knysna-Plett Herald (identified by the blood vessel patterns on its ears), and as far as I'm aware, no second individual has been spotted yet:



The above photo was apparently taken on 4 April 2006 at 16h22, by Wilfred Oraai:
Accompanying text from the original Sanparks mail (that was forwarded to the Herald and used in the article too): "...Not a good picture as the elephant was standing behind a tall fynbos bush, but will still be of use to SANPARKS as the elephants left ear is almost clearly in focus and shows blood vessel patterning that serves as a fingerprint when used for comparison with other photographs, a system that was used successfully in the Addo elephant park in distinguishing individuals. Wilfred Oraai, Karel Maswattii, experienced forest elephant trackers were on the usual weekly search in the Goudveld area for elephant signs when they came across fresh tracks."

"Assessing prevailing weather conditions, they split up and took up strategic points in order to get a photo of the animal. Suddenly Wilfred heard cracking noises about 60m ahead of him and climbed a young pine tree to get a better angle. As he zoomed in and focused the video camera on the animal, the branch he was standing on broke and he fell to the ground, camera and all. The elephant heard the commotion and ran off, unfortunately in Wilfred’s direction. When Wilfred eventually got to his feet the animal was very close to him but fortunately ran past. Wilfred was just lucky to be alive and thanked the powers that be for this. Particularly so as this was Fynbos which poses far more danger when encountering elephant..."

Oh Wow!

What an awesome post.
Thank you very much.

News filters through slowly from the Garden route. Another good reason for getting rid of the pines!

Go Wilfred go! We hope you are ok. Being trampled after falling would not have ended so happily.

Morning all

I just have to add my two cents worth on the Elephants of the forest... On May 27 on our way to the Outeniqua Trout Farm along the Diepvalle road we came across the freshly munched on branches which some Ellie happened to drop...It was do exciting as a novice nature lover to experience this and see the distinct foot padded foot prints left behind.

So close yet so far.

Another article regarding further evidence of Knysna ellies

Thanks arks

This article has appeared in a number of publications-both print and online. Jill Gordon, the manager of Wilderness National Park, is going to see if we can hear more about this in the future on the website!

Dianne

On the frontpage.

Hello

Has anyone had any updates on the elephants of The Knysna forest since June 2007.

This Forest has always held a special part of my hart and I would love to hear of any news regarding not only its ellies but also of animals like the leopards, Blue Duiker, Knysna Lourie etc.

In the June 2007 article I see they are talking about Knysna buffs which I have never heard of can anyone provide info on this please.

Very much appreciated

I don't no about the other but according to the amount of sightings the Lourie is doing fine. I also saw good numbers of Bushbuck and Bushpic in resent years.

Hi all,

Yes you will definitely hear louries, even if you don't see them, and bushbuck are also frequently seen. So far as leopard go there is apparently one every 23Km2 in the forest but you are very,very unlikely to see one. Blue Duiker are nocturnal and very secretive so rarely seen, however you may come across bushpig at night, and certainly see evidence of them during the day.

The most recent rumours I have come across about the ellies is that following DNA studies on dung it is believed there are 5, one of which is a calf. If you walk in the forest you are likely to come across tracks and dung.

This is the first I've heard about Knysna Buffs, but who knows what's lurking in the forest there...

http://www.sanparks.org/parks/knysna/ne ... ephant.php

Hello everyone,

I 'm following passionately recent episodes of the forest elephants of Knysna.
DNA forest elephant is different from those of savannah.
the South African population of elephants in forest leaves little hope on the viability of such a population.
Elephant Central Africa (Cameroon-Congo) is it the same DNA as that of South Africa?
If so is it possible to relocate people of Congo to South Africa to strengthen the genetic potential?
there are also other benefits of such an operation: no more a secret that the national parks of Central Africa are drilled baskets for poachers,
populations of forest elephants of Central Africa are decimated for bushmeat, ivory, which is very good, and the logging companies.
South Africa is an example in the management of national parks, although it was decried in the past, only the results count!
I am really interested if anyone could tell me about this and if such a project is not what would it take to implement it?
I learned one thing over time is that the only limitations we have are those that are needed.