Current Tusker - Ngwenya

[RosemaryH]

Current Tusker - Ngwenya

ngwenya Mark Scheepers.jpg (22.73 KiB) Viewed 1007 times

Photo by Mark Scheepers

Origin of Name:Ngwenya: meaning Crocodile in Tsonga, originates from the favored home range of this bull in the southern KNP.

Special Features: Ngwenya has a very notable deep u-shaped notch in his left ear lobe. Less notable on the same lobe are an inverted v-shaped notch below the large notch and a v-shaped nick below this. A small R0.50 hole is visible above the inverted V-shape towards the middle of the lobe. His right ear lobe does not have any notable markings; a very small v-shaped notch is visible at time towards the middle of the lobe as well as a very shallow long u-shaped notch towards the top of the lobe. Ngwenya’ s ivory is very curved and from a direct side profile the left tusk is curved higher than the right tusk. ** The sharp curved tip of his right tusk is broken off.

** Edited to update features.
**Edit to restore image

[RosemaryH]

We saw this tusker on 30 December 2013 07:11 on the way from Crocodile Bridge back to Lower Sabie. On the H4-2 between the S130 and S28. He was with a breeding herd at the time.
I tried to take as many photos as possible, but the angle of the photos don’t do the length of his tusks justice. Hope this one can be ID’d

I will send the photos to the email provided

This is one to look out for RemiE a reply in from SANParks - very good indeed. Thanks for already submitting the photographs via email.

He is certainly an impressive bull and while not yet named he is on our watch list. He seems to predominate in the Lower Sabie/Croc Bridge area, but I do have a sighting of him closer to Skukuza as well.
A nice one to watch. I would definitely appreciate the images per email as this is the most detailed series we have seen, even though the angles vary we can get some good identifying characteristics from him.

[Jock]

I am keeping you busy today Rosemary. This is the last one for today, I promise.

Another nice promising fellow with a big tear in his left ear.

Large

Large

[RosemaryH]

I am keeping you busy today Rosemary. This is the last one for today, I promise.

...and adding great value to the project

Great sighting Jock. This is one of the the newly named bulls Ngwenya

Thanks for the contribution

[RosemaryH]

Update: The project has received images showing that since the last images received, Ngwenya appears to have broken off the sharp curved tip of his right tusk. Fortunately not too much ivory has been lost.
If you have any images showing this break it would be appreciated if you could share them here!
Thanks.

[RosemaryH]

A recent sighting of Ngwenya submitted via the SANParks KNP FB page

Photo's and orignal post on FB by Guillaume Zietsman

[gbird]

This looks like Ngwenya seen 6 Nov 2017.

The damage to his left tusk looks very minimal.




If confirmed, I will post a close uo of his ear markings and left tusk.

g

[RosemaryH]

gbird - thanks for posting. I agree that this is Ngwenya It would b appreciated if you would PM me with the location of your sighting in order to submit details to the project

[RosemaryH]

The additional photo's would be great thank you!

[gbird]

Thanks Rose

A close up of his left ear showing the distinctive features



Looking at his tusks, very little appears to have broken off



A front on picture of his left tusk shows some damage though



It was midday and very hot when the pictures were taken so not the greatest clarity

[RosemaryH]

Wow! Thanks a mil for the awesome photo's gbird I will submit to the project.
Great value added - thank you!

Your sighting will be moved across to Ngwenya's topic here on the forums

[RosemaryH]

A wonderful sighting and submission of Ngwenya by Mario Paul on the SANParks KNP FB page
Great contribution to the project

Ngwenya by Mario Paul on FB