Letaba Elephant Hall - Home of the Magnificent Seven

All-in-One

Welcome...

Launched in March 2006, the KNP Emerging Tuskers Competition is part of a research project to identify the new crop of elephants with large tusks and encourages visitors to the KNP to take photographs or video footage of any elephant with large tusks so that this record can be used for research purposes. You have until the 31 December 2007 to send in your entries for this year's competition.

The museum covers elephant evolution, biology, behaviour, ecology and research. It also showcases the ivory of eight of Kruger's greatest tuskers (including six of the Magnificent Seven). This site introduces you to these, and some of Kruger's other big tuskers. It also has fun and games for kids and information for schools and educators. Check out our recommended reading for some excellent elephant publications, or our links page to access other useful sources of information on elephants.

This website is still in development and more content will be added over the coming months. We hope you find this site informative and accessible. Maybe we will see you in person at Letaba's elephant hall soon?

Location:

Letaba Elephant Hall
Letaba Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
South Africa

Letaba Rest Camp is located in the north of Kruger National Park, 50 km from the nearest entry gate to the park (Phalaborwa).

Opening hours: Letaba Elephant Hall is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year at the following times:

Mondays – Saturdays: 08:00 to 20:00
Sundays: 08:00 to 18:00

Entry fee: Entrance to Letaba Elephant Hall is free.

Contact Details

Letaba Elephant Hall
People & Conservation Department
Letaba Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Private Bag X402
Skukuza 1350
South Africa

Tel: +27 (0)13 735 6664
Fax: +27 (0)13 735 6662

Email us

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Big Tuskers

Ever since the Magnificent Seven were first named in the 1970's, Kruger's elephants with large tusks have been a source of awe and inspiration around the world. While many of Africa's elephant populations have seen the genes of their largest tuskers depleted by ivory hunting and poaching, Kruger's legends live on.

Find out more about Kruger's Magnificent Seven, other past tuskers and today's emerging tuskers by clicking on the links below.

Magnificent Seven – uncover the history of the famous Magnificent Seven and learn about each elephant's character and home range.
Past Tuskers– learn about other tuskers that are no longer with us, including the bearer of the heaviest ivory ever recorded in Kruger National Park.
Emerging Tuskers – find out about the elephants you may see in the park today, the likely big tuskers of the future, and discover how you can help us keep track of them.
Tuskers by name – an alphabetical list of all Kruger's tuskers over the past thirty years.
Tuskers by location – a clickable map showing where each tusker has been seen in the park.

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Emerging tuskers

The legend of the Magnificent Seven lives on in Kruger National Park through a number of animals carrying impressive ivory. Read about the old bulls, the youngsters, and our only female tusker below.

Scientists are studying these impressive animals and you can help by providing information on any tusker you see in the park. See our Emerging Tuskers Project for more details.

When a new tusker is identified we currently name it after a Ranger or other member of staff who has given many years of service to the Kruger National Park. It is traditional for rangers to be given an ethnic title by their colleagues and staff, and it is these 'nicknames' that are used for the tuskers.

Old Bulls

Duke

Duke is currently the largest of the Kruger tuskers, and therefore perhaps the biggest in the world. His home range is in the Lower Sabie/Crocodile Bridge/Tshokwane area though he has been known to travel as far north as Satara. He is seen regularly by the windmill that shares his name and is probably the most photographed of the big tuskers. He has a very relaxed disposition and can be identified by a square-shaped notch in his left ear.

He is named after the early Ranger Tom Duke who was based at Lower Sabie between 1903 and 1923.

Tsendze

This huge bull, probably 3.8m high, shares his name with the Tsedze river. The name is derived from the Tsonga word Tsendzeleka meaning to 'wander about like someone lost in the bush'. He ranges from Mopani Camp, south down the Tsende loop and east across Nshawu Dam.

Bidzane

Named afrer Gus Adendorff in recognition of his service and dedication to this world famous National Park, the KNP, which he loved dearly. We know that he would have been extremely proud and honoured to have one of "his beloved elephants" named after him.

Gus was a keen conservationist and commenced duty as a junior ranger in the 1st of May 1950. He was known among his staff as "Bidzane", a Swahili word referring to the zebra skin band around his hat. This hat he wore constantly. Gus was a "naturalist" ranger who had a great empathy with the animals he was appointed to protect, preferring to allow nature to run its course rather than interfere with the rifle. It was well recognised that he had an intense love of nature, and he avidly recorded his observations through photography and sound recordings in an era when this technology was not well developed. Through his keen interest in all forms of wildlife, he gradually became a formidable amateur botanist, ornithologist and zoologist. He had a particular interest in lions and made many recordings of their calls and came to understand them as few had before him. He also had an intense interest in the history of the KNP and in 1959 he accompanied an expedition, led by Dr.Punt, to search for relics of the van Rensburg Trek who had been massacred along the Limpopo River in Mozambique in 1836.

Growing up on a farm in the Soutpansberg district, Gus became fluent in both Tshivenda and Tsonga (Shangaan) which also proved to be very useful in later years. He was the interpreter during the above-mentioned expedition due to his proficiency in these indigenous languages.

As a junior ranger, Gus commenced his duties under Ranger Harry Kirkman ("Muliluane") in Skukuza in 1950 but after one month was trasferred to Shingwedzi. He was fortunate enough to meet and serve with many of the pioneer rangers of the Park, amongst others, Col.Stevenson-Hamilton, Lt.Col.Rowland-Jones and Henry Wolhuter. At the latter end of 1951 he was transferred to Shangoni. He was promoted to District Ranger at Punda Maria towards the end of 1954. At the end of 1958 he was transferred to Satara. After five years there he was transferred to Pretoriuskop. In 1966 he was then transferred to Letaba. In 1973 he made his last career move in the KNP when he was transferred to Punda Maria where he had been stationed 15 years earlier.

As a keen amateur ornithologist and botanist, this, the Northern section was to be Gus' favourite section. He retired as a District Ranger on the 31st of March 1977.

Gus retired to a property outside Louis Trichardt where he wrote a book on his experiences as a ranger of the KNP. This book is entitled "Wild Company" and includes a record, "The African Night" recorded by Gus. He was also a very enthusiastic photographer and the photographs in this book are from his personal collection. The book was published in 1984. Sadly, Gus passed away on the 3rd of November 1982, and therefore never got to see his book published.

He married Patricia Futter in 1956 in Bloemfontein and to them were born five children, Susan, Michael, Irene John and Eugenie. All their children inherited their father's love for nature. John is currently employed as a conservation manager in the Addo Elephant National Park where he has been for the past 16 years.

This information was derived from the book of memoirs, written by Gus, and also from his family.

Tsotsi

Meet Tsotsi. He has been known to us for some time, but got named as part of the tuskers judging process this year as we received quiet a few entries for him and given he is so visible people wanted a name. He is a wonderfully cheeky bull who is happy to pose for photo’s but has been know to take out a fence or two at Letaba every now and then. He is named after one of our past rangers – Ampie Espag. (note the small hole in the left ear, one of the tell tale signs)

Abraham Jacobus (Ampie) Espag spent most of his adult life conserving nature in the Kruger National Park. He knew the Park like the palm of his hand and was a gifted story teller, spending many hours around camp fires, sharing his experiences and what with privileged listeners, whoever they were.

He started his career on 1 February 1954 as Section Ranger at Malelane. Poaching in that part of the Park was rampant at the time and Ampie’s relentless, often clandestine and highly successful efforts to curb the problem soon earned him the nickname of Tsotsi. He was still part of that generation of Section Rangers who patrolled the veld not per 4X4 vehicles, but on horseback, per donkey convoy, bicycle and on foot.

After ten years at Malelane, Ampie was transferred to Nwanedzi, a Ranger Section east of Satara rest camp, bordering Mozambique. Here, for the first time, he had to curb elephant poaching, escalating from out the neighbouring country.

Six years later he was transferred to Tshokwane where, apart from his normal Section Ranger duties, he became very involved in the capture and translocation of game to other Parks.

He then became Section Ranger at Mooiplaas, next to Mopani rest camp at a time when elephant poaching from out Mozambique was a huge problem in the north of the KNP. His experience and knowledge of old, which he gladly shared with the younger generation, came in very handy during the multiple anti poaching operations during that time, resulting in a number of poachers being apprehended.

From there he went to Kingfisherspruit at Orpen Gate where he met with Phelwane, one of the biggest ivory carriers in the history of the KNP. Ampie and this legendary elephant shared various management incidents, some of which can be described as rather hilarious and of course quite breathtaking.

After retiring as Section Ranger, Ampie assisted at Punda Maria in the Tourism Department until he eventually retired in Pretoria where he passed away on 18 July 2006 at the ripe old age of 82.

Alexander

Alexander can be seen in the Mopani area and is relatively young. He would seem to have potential for considerable tusk growth in the years to come.

His name honours Prof Stuart Saunders who was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, and who has since contributed significantly to the research programs in Kruger through the Mellon Foundation. The Saunders name is said to be traceable back to Alexander the Great whose emblem was the elephant.

Hlanganini

Hlanganini (pronounced thlan-ga-nini) is based in the Letaba area. He is one of the younger bulls with considerable promise for the future. His most recognizable characteristic is that the bottom of his left earlobe is missing. It appears to have been torn off in a straight line parallel to the ground.

He gets his name from the Hlanganini River which has its confluence with the Letaba River at Letaba Rest camp.

Masthulele

Masthulele (pronounced Mas-thu-le-le). This bull has only been photographed during the 2003 and 2004 elephant censuses. Both sightings were in the Tihongonyene Windmill area between Shingwedzi and Mopani. He has a notch in his left ear.

Masthulele was given the ethnic name of Kruger's elephant researcher, Dr Ian Whyte, after motivation by other staff. It means the 'quiet one' in Tsonga. Read more about Dr Ian Whyte.

Muliluane

Muliluane (pronounced Mu-li-lu-ane) moves between Kruger and the Sabi Sand Private Nature Reserve. He is named after Ranger Harry Kirkman who served in Kruger between 1933 and 1958. He started his career in the Sabi Sand, moved to Kruger as a Ranger and returned to Sabi Sand as Warden. The name Muliluane means 'small fire'.

Timaka

Timaka (pronounced Ti-ma-ka) was identified from photographs taken during the 2004 elephant census. He was seen in the area around the Dzombo windmills south of Shingwedzi. He is young and has potential as a future big tusker.

He is named after Lance Corporal Wilson Ndlovu who was killed by an elephant in the Malelane area after 30 years of loyal service to the KNP. Ndlovu actually means elephant in Tsonga.

Tshilonde

(Pronounced Tshi-lon-de) When last seen this elephant had broken one of his tusks. Like Mashagadzi he lives in the area around Shingwedzi rest camp, and has often been seen by tourists.

He is named after the permanent waterhole in the Shingwedzi River at the mouth of the Gadzingwe Spruit. Tshilonde is a Venda word meaning 'a wound or sore'. The elephant is named after the place, and there is no connection between the meaning of the word and the elephant.

The only female tusker

MaMerle

This beautiful elephant cow is thought to be the biggest female tusker in Kruger. She was first seen and photographed near the Sabie River high-water bridge in August 2004. She appears to have twins of about 3-4 years old.

She is named after another matriarch of Kruger, Merle Whyte, who also has an extended family living in Kruger and the associated private nature reserves.

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The Magnificent Seven

Over thirty years ago seven impressive elephant bulls, all with tusks weighing more than 50 kg each, could be found in Kruger National Park. The Chief Warden at the time, Dr U de V Pienaar, decided to publicise these elephants as a successful example of Kruger's conservation work. He named those bulls that had not already been identified and also coined the collective name, the Magnificent Seven, based on the 1960 Hollywood film.

The promotion was launched in 1980 with specially commissioned paintings by celebrated wildlife artist Paul Bosman and illustrated articles written by the park's Senior Research Officer, Dr Anthony Hall-Martin.

The public reaction was staggering and, when each of these great elephants died, it was decided to retrieve their tusks and skulls in order to display them. The Elephant Hall at Letaba Rest Camp now holds the tusks of Dzombo, Kambaku, Mafunyane, Ndlulamithi, Shawu and Shingwedzi.

The age of each of these elephants was estimated. Find out how to work out an elephant's age.

Learn more about tusks and ivory in general.

Scroll down to see and read about each of these great animals, or click on a name below to jump straight to that individual.

Dzombo
Joao
Kambaku
Mafunyane
Ndlulamithi
Shawu
Shingwedzi

Dzombo (c.1935–1983)

Dzombo's (pronounced D-zom-bo) name derives from the Tsonga word 'dzombolo' which means to wait for something that is slow in coming. He was named after the Dzombo stream, a tributary of the Shingwedzi river, located in his home range.

Dzombo met an untimely death at the age of 48-50 years in October 1983. He died in a hail of bullets from an AK47, near a waterhole known as Dzombyane. He was the only one of the Magnificent Seven to be killed by poachers and it was only by a stroke of luck that Dzombo's two tusks were not lost. The thieves were in the act of chopping out the ivory when they were disturbed by the approach of Ranger Ampie Espag. They fled leaving their trophies behind.

Range: Dzombo lived in the area bounded by the Tsendze, Letaba and Shingwedzi Rivers and was most frequently seen around the marshlands of the Shawu valley.

Special Features: Dzombo's tusks are the classic shape of Kruger's elephants, bowed and curved, pointing forward and slightly upwards.

Left tusk: length 255 cm, mass 56.8 kg, circumference at lip 50 cm
Right tusk: length 237 cm, mass 56.8 kg, circumference at lip 51 cm

João (c.1939–c.2000)

João was first seen near a windmill of the same name in the Shingwedzi region. The windmill was originally named after a Mozambican who worked with the mechanic at Shingwedzi Rest Camp.

This agreeable elephant was attacked by poachers in 1982 but survived a number of impacts from the bullets of an AK47. His magnificent tusks were once measured when he was immobilised for the fitting of a radio collar. Unfortunately, both tusks were broken off about 20 cm above the lipline in 1984. The cause of the loss is not known and the ivory was never found.

João is thought to have died sometime before 2000 but his body has never been recovered.

Range: By and to the south of the Shingwedzi river, normally within 15 km from Shingwedzi Rest Camp.

Left tusk: length 271 cm, mass 70 kg, circumference at lip 51 cm
Right tusk: length 250 cm, mass 60 kg, circumference at lip 51 cm

Kambaku (c.1930-1985)

Kambaku (pronounced Kam-ba-ku) is the Tsonga word for 'old elephant bull', implying great reverence for an impressive animal. Unlike the rest of the Magnificent Seven, Kambaku was only ever seen alone, never with a companion.

He was more than 55 years old in 1985 when he was found in obvious pain from a bullet wound. He had been shot when he crossed the Crocodile River into neighbouring sugar cane fields. When he could no longer walk and it was clear that death was imminent, he was mercifully shot by Regional Ranger Lynn van Rooyen from the Lower Sabie Ranger Section.

Range: This bull moved over a huge tract of over 2000 km2 from Timbavati to Crocodile Bridge. He would move south in the dry months and return north in the wet season. He was commonly seen and photographed by many visitors to Kruger.

Special Features: He had no tail hairs towards the end of his life. Prominent markings on his trunk, together with his magnificent ivory, made him easily recognisable. His tusks are precise mirror images of each other.

Left tusk: length 259 cm, mass 63.2 kg, circumference at lip 51 cm
Right tusk: length 265 cm, mass 64 kg, circumference at lip 52 cm

Mafunyane (c.1926-1983)

Mafunyane (pronounced Ma-fun-ya-ne) was the most famous member of the Magnificent Seven. His Tsonga name can be translated as 'the irritable one' reflecting the elephant's disdain for, and intolerance of, humans. He was a very shy and elusive animal, avoiding people and moving away from vehicles. He was named after a former KNP warden, Lou Steyn, who was known for his quick temper.

Mafunyane's long straight tusks dragged along the ground as he walked. However, his relatively small stature (he was only 327 cm at the shoulder) meant that they were not as long as those of several other tuskers. His ivory was also oval in cross-section, rather than circular, giving the impression of being heavier than it was.

He had a 10 cm wide hole that penetrated 40 cm deep into his skull. The opening extended into the nasal cavity and he was able to breath through this passage, which also let rain in! The origin of the injury is unknown but it is most likely to have been caused by the tusk of another elephant during a fight. One of the toes of his left hind foot was splayed to one side so that he left a distinctive footprint.

Mafunyane's remains were found on 16 November 1983 near the Tari river, northwest of Shingwedzi. He had been dead for 3-4 weeks. He died of natural causes aged around 57 years of age.

Range: Mafunyane was only seen in the wild by a handful of people, and was rarely seen by visitors as he kept well away from roads. His range covered the upper reaches of the Shingwedzi river towards the Bububu stream. He was also seen near Mafunyane waterhole (named after Lou Steyn who built it). It was a very remote area, only crossed by a few firebreaks and patrol roads.

Special Features: Mafunyane's tusks are fairly straight and their tips are worn to a chisel-edge as a result of being rubbed on the ground as he moved. His tusks were perfectly symmetrical and are of identical length and mass.

Both tusks: length 251 cm, mass 55.1 kg, circumference at lip 48 cm

Ndlulamithi (c.1927–1985)

Ndlulamithi (pronounced N-dlu-la-mi-thi), which is a traditional Tsonga word meaning 'taller than the trees', earned his name from his appearance. He was taller than most of the other tuskers, probably around 340 – 345 cm high at the shoulder.

He was an aggressive and wild elephant, prone to charging but was seldom seen. His right tusk had broken short at some point. He died of natural causes in 1985 at an estimated 58 years of age and his tusks were recovered by ranger Paul Zway in the Shangoni area.

Range: His range was known to occupy a large area around the upper reaches of the Shingwedzi river, stretching from Byashishi drainage system across to the Phongol River.

Special Features: The handsomely curved tusks of Ndlulamithi, the left one sweeping low and well forward, are significantly more twisted than those of other large bulls.

Left tusk: length 287 cm, mass 64.6 kg, circumference at lip 48.5 cm
Right tusk: length 273 cm, mass 57.2 kg, circumference at lip 48 cm

Shawu (c.1926-1986)

The 'Shawu Bull' (pronounced Sha-who) was named after the Shawu valley in which he spent much of his life. He was a fairly approachable animal and showed no particular fear or distrust of vehicles. Shawu was a large bull having a shoulder height of 340 cm. Due to the pincer shape formed by his large tusks he was sometimes referred to in Afrikaans as 'Groot Haaktand' (Big Hook Teeth).

Shawu died of old age in October 1986 at almost 60 years old. He had been ill for some time and his condition and movements were being monitored daily by means of a radio transmitter. His body was found in the Kostini area east of Shingwedzi, near the northern watershed of the Shawu Valley.

Range: The Shawu bull moved over a large range which spanned the flat mopane-covered plains country between the Letaba and Shingwedzi rivers and stretched from the main road to the Lebombo Hills. He drifted around slowly, taking about 6 months to move from South to North.

Special Features: Shawu's tusks are the longest on record in Southern Africa.

Left tusk: length 317 cm, mass 52.6 kg, circumference at lip 45 cm
Right tusk: length 305 cm, mass 50.8 kg, circumference at lip 45 cm

Shingwedzi (c.1934-1981)

Shingwedzi (pronounced Shing-wed-zi) was named after the river and rest camp where he spent the last few years of his life. The name Shingwedzi means 'place of ironstone' referring to the gabbro rock outcrops common to the area. Shingwedzi was a gentle, tolerant elephant accustomed to vehicles.

He died of natural causes in January 1981, aged around 65. He had collapsed under a sycamore fig tree on the southern bank of the Shingwedzi River not far from Shingwedzi Rest Camp. His master tusk was dug deep into the ground when he was found.

Range: He was a settled animal and was known to move around Shingwedzi, between the Nkokodzi and Chugamila hills in the west and the Lebombos in the east. He spent much of his time along the Shingwedzi river under sycamore fig trees.

Special Features: Shingwedzi's ivory offers a good example of the classic master servant tusks although the servant tusk which was used most frequently was broken short.

Left (master) tusk: length 264 cm, mass 58.1 kg, circumference at lip 48 cm
Right (servant) tusk: length 207 cm, mass 47.2 kg

Download this information as a PDF file for printing [Magnificent Seven]

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Past Tuskers

All of the Magnificent Seven, who were born in the 1920s and 30s, have now passed away. They were followed by a number of other great tuskers, including the bearer of the heaviest tusks recorded in Kruger, who have also now passed on.

Scroll down to see and read about each of these great animals, or click on a name below to jump straight to that individual.

Massunguine
Mashagadzi
Mambrrr
Masbambela
Bububu
Mabarule
Mandleve
Nhlangulene
Phelwane
Shilowa
Shisangane
Tshokwane

Mashagadzi

Mashagadzi (pronounced Ma-sha-gad-zi) is named after a windmill south of Shingwedzi rest camp, where this big tusker was often seen. He is a very docile bull and is often seen and photographed by staff and tourists.

He was named by staff in the Shingwedzi area. Mashagadzi is historically the name of an individual (probably a Headman) who lived in the area in the past.

Massunguine

Massunguine (pronounced Mas-sun-gui-ne) was first photographed from a helicopter in August 2004 in the Mahlati (Shingwedzi) area. He is named after Phineas Massunguine Maluleke who was a Field Ranger in Kruger for many years.

Mambrrr

This elephant was originally photographed at Leeupan by Dave Jeffery on Wednesday 6th October 2004 and also by Louise &Tony Swemmer on 19th September 2005 along the Salitje road near the Nwatindlopfu drift.

He has been given the name “Mambrrr” in memory of Philemon Chauke who was a Research Assistant for many years in the Kruger National Park based in Skukuza. Chauke (or Mambrrr as he was affectionately known) was involved in most of the projects involving field work, and was well known by many Kruger based and visiting scientists. He was a great character, much loved by those who knew him. He was killed in a car accident in 1984 while assisting me with the field work for my Master of Science degree. He was self appointed guardian of my children when they joined me in the field on school holidays and weekends.

The origin of his name is obscure, but it is believed to come from a locally brewed South African beverage made from peaches known as “mampoer”. The name should be pronounced with a prominent roll of the rrrs so as to resemble an elephant greeting rumble.

Masbambela

Masbambela (pronounced Mas-bam-bela) was only recently 'discovered' as his home range is far away from the main tourist routes, west of Shingwedzi. He has been seen at Gumbandevu (near to Punda Maria) and Red Rocks (by Shingwedzi).

His tusks are probably only second in size to Duke's. He is named after Ranger Ben Pretorius who served most of his working life in Kruger (1966 – 2001). Ben was known by his staff as Masbambela which means 'one who can 'stand his man' in the work place by his physical strength'. Ben passed away in September 2002.

Bububu (-1998)

Named after the Bububu windmill in the Shangoni area. He had a long right tusk and broken left tusk and a huge tear in his ear. Bububu died in October 1998.

Mabarule (c.1948-2004)

Mabarule lived in the Mopani area of Kruger and was given his name by the Field Rangers of the Mooiplaas Section. Meaning 'big feet' in Tsonga, this is also the name given to their tall Section Ranger, Johann Oelofse (pictured here holding Mabarule's ivory).

Mabarule's bones showed that the elephant was afflicted with severe arthritis in many of his joints, and that he must have suffered severe pain in his later years. In spite of this, he was an extremely docile elephant who was often seen and photographed by tourists.

Mabarule died in November 2004, apparently of natural causes as his carcass was found with the tusks still in place. According to the condition of his molar teeth he was estimated to be about 56 years old.

Left tusk: mass 48.8 kg, length: 257 cm, circumference at lip: 46 cm
Right tusk: mass 54.2 kg, length 280 cm, circumference at lip: 48 cm

Mandleve (c.1937-1993)

The greatest Kruger Tusker was named Mandleve, meaning 'ears' in Tsonga, because of the prominent notch in his ear. It is also the name of one of the longest-serving rangers in the park, Louis Olivier, given by his staff as a mark of respect.

This impressive, docile bull ranged in the Skukuza area and into the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve. He was often seen near Paul Kruger gate, the Watergate Road and occasionally when drinking at De Laporte Windmill in the Naphe Road. In his old age he remained around the Sabi River banks and was usually escorted by four young bulls who would help with pushing over vegetation. His tusks were so heavy he often had to support them in the fork of a tree or on the river bank.

He died from old age in September 1993 at approximately 56 years of age. His scattered remains were spotted west of Paul Kruger gate about 10 km from Skukuza during an air census. The last reported sighting was on 6 June that year. Mandleve's ivory is the heaviest ever recorded in the Kruger National Park

Left tusk: length 236.3 cm, mass 69 kg
Right tusk: length 233.3 cm, mass 73.5 kg

Nhlangulene (c.1932-1987)

Nhlangulene is named after the Nhlangulene spruit where this bull spent much of his time. He was secretive and rarely seen. Little is known of this mysterious elephant. Nhlangulene spent most of his time wandering in the wilderness area on the western boundary of the Tshokwane/Satara sections, where only a few visitors and a firebreak crossed his home range.

Nhlangulene's impressive tusks were recovered in 1987 by game guards on Patrol. He had died of natural causes at an estimated age of 55 years. Nhlangulene's right tusk was shorter than the left as it had been broken sometime during his life.

Left tusk: length 262 cm, mass 62.6 kg
Right tusk: length 204 cm, mass 46.9 kg

Phelwane (-1988)

Phelwane was named after a spruit which crosses the Satara – Orpen road. He measured about 325 cm at the shoulder with a forefoot circumference of 152 cm.

Phelwane frequented the Kingfisherspruit ranger's section, west of Satara. Towards the end of his life, Phelwane adopted the habit of breaking through the Park's western boundary fence where he was often seen in Manyeleti and other nature reserves.

During January 1988 game scout Armand Ndhlovu of the Kingfisherspruit Section reported that Phelwane was in difficulties. His condition was poor and he could scarcely walk. A bullet wound in his neck region had gone septic. The bullet had also shattered his lower jawbone which made eating and drinking very difficult. There was little hope of saving him and it was agreed to end his life.

Phelwane's magnificent tusks are the heaviest pair on display in the Letaba Elephant Hall exhibition, together weighing 135.5 kg

Left tusk: length 257 cm, mass 63.8 kg, circumference at lip 54 cm
Right tusk: length 277 cm, mass 71.7 kg, circumference at lip 56 cm

Shilowa (-1998)

Shilowa means 'the bewitched one' in Tsonga. He was named after a koppie near Mopani. His right tusk was longer than the left and he had a lump high up on his right hind leg.

Shilowa was seen around Mooiplaas and to the south. He frequented the area from Twisappel Waterhole, just South of Malopanyana windmill, to Nshawu dam in the north.

His body was found in April 1998 near the Nshawu No 1 windmill, close to the main road south of Mopani. He had been dead for about 5 days. Although his feet had healed, scars were visible on one hind foot from the sole problems he had suffered from for about two years. There was a large crack along his right tusk and deep grooves on the underside of the left tusk.

Right tusk: length 237 cm, mass 47.3 kg, circumference at lip 47 cm
Left tusk: length 215 cm, mass 38.75 kg, circumference at lip 46 cm

Shisangane (c.1936-1996)

Shisangane ranged in the Satara area. His body was found by the Nwanedzi Ranger in December 1996, between the Kumana and Sweni Windmills, on the Murhundzuluka Spruit. He had been dead for about 3 months. His bottom molars were worn completely smooth, indicating that he had died of natural causes. He was estimated to be about 60 years old. His right tusk weighed 50.5 kg and the stump of his left was 27 kg.

Tshokwane (-1998)

Tshokwane ranged around the Metsi-Metsi area and the picnic site he was named after. He had a characteristic notch in his right ear and achieved dubious fame after he trampled a photographer in the park (but luckily didn't cause any serious injuries).

Both his tusks were broken off before he died and have never been found. About 50 cm of the left tusk broke off in 1993. The right tusk broke (leaving only 50 cm in place) in November 1996 near Metsi Metsi Trails Camp. The local ranger sent out a patrol to find the ivory, but without success.

In September 1998 Tshokwane died near Orpen Dam, from wounds sustained in a fight with another bull.

Download this information as a PDF file [Past Tuskers for printing].

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Tuskers by location

Big tuskers can cover very long distances and may be seen throughout Kruger National Park. Although elephants are not territorial, bulls do tend to stay in reasonably well-defined areas, known as home ranges.

Click on a point on the map to find out about the tuskers that have been seen near there.

Scientists are monitoring where each of the tuskers have been seen – please let us know if you have seen a large tusker in the park.

Pafuri/Punda Maria

Masbambela is the only current tusker to be seen in this area.

Shingwedzi

The Shingwedzi section of the park can truly be called the home of the Big Tuskers with five of the Magnificent Seven spending time here as well as a number of emerging tuskers. Dzombo, Joao, Mafunyane, Ndlulamithi, and Shingwedzi were all based around the Shingwedzi area. Currently, you may be lucky enough to see one of the following emerging tuskers in the region:

Mopani

Two of the Magnificent Seven, Dzombo and Shawu were seen in this area as well as Mabarule and Shilowa. Today the region is home to the following emerging tuskers:

Letaba/Olifants

The tusker most commonly sighted in this area today is Hlanganini.

Orpen/Satara

Kambaku, Phelwane, Shisangane and Tshokwane were all regulars in this area. Today there are fewer tuskers and none that have been regularly identified in the region.

Tshokwane/Skukuza

The Skukuza area was home to the most impressive tusker of all, Mandleve, who roamed from here in and out of the Sabi Sand Reserve. Only one of the Magnificent Seven, Kambaku, was seen in the area, as well as Nhlangulene and Tshokwane.Today you may spot a couple of emerging tuskers, including the only female with such impressive ivory:

Berg-en-Dal/Crocodile Bridge/Lower Sabie/Pretoriuskop

Although the south of the park is less well known for tuskers than further north, the Magnificent Seven's Kambaku was known to roam this far during the dry season. Today, you may see the biggest living tusker near Lower Sabie, Duke.

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Tuskers by name

You may access information on all of Kruger's recorded tuskers for the past thirty years from this alphabetical list. Scroll down or click on a letter to find a specific individual.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Alexander

B

Bububu (deceased)

D

Dzombo (deceased)
Duke

H

Hlanganini

J

Joao (deceased)

K

Kambaku (deceased)

M

Mabarule (deceased)
Mafunyane (deceased)
MaMerle
Mandleve (deceased)
Masbambela
Mashagadzi
Massunguine
Masthulele
Muliluane

N

Ndlulamithi (deceased)
Nhlangulene (deceased)

P

Phelwane (deceased)

S

Shawu (deceased)
Shilowa (deceased)
Shingwedzi (deceased)
Shisangane (deceased)

T

Timaka
Tsendze
Tshilonde
Tshokwane (deceased)

X

Xilowa (see Shilowa)

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Emerging tuskers project competition

Help the 'big tusker' legend live on in Kruger National Park

Send us your photos, digital images or videos

Win fantastic prizes!

Scientists in the Kruger National Park are studying these impressive animals to identify all of the Park's large tuskers and clearly define their home ranges. Information is compiled from annual aerial censuses, and specific collaring and tracking projects. This work helps to improve our understanding of these animals and ensures future visitors will be able to appreciate them.

You can help us by providing photographs and information about any tusker you see within Kruger National Park and neighbouring private reserves. Any elephant with remarkable tusks (more than 1m long) is of interest. Full face images showing both tusks and ears are most useful. Close-up shots of any characteristic features will also be appreciated. Detailed information about the location and date of the sighting is crucial.

Annual prizes:

1st prize

Elephant Research Trip

The unique opportunity to join the Kruger National Park's elephant scientist, Dr Ian Whyte, on one of his research trips within the park. Includes:

2 nights accommodation for 2 people at the KNP camp nearest to the research location
2 people to accompany the research team in a helicopter while darting and collaring an elephant

2nd prize

Weekend in Kruger National Park

2 nights accommodation for 4 people at Letaba Rest Camp, Kruger National Park
Free guided activity
Free guided tour of Letaba Elephant Hall

3rd prize

Bird hide sleepover

1 night accommodation for 5 people at Shipandani or Sable Dam sleepover hide, Kruger National Park

Additional prizes will also be awarded for individual high quality photographs.

How to submit your images

You may download a printable form and send to the address below. Alternatively, send an e-mail to the address below, with all the following information included (you can highlight the text below and copy it into an e-mail if you like):

Emerging tuskers competition entry form:

Date elephant/s seen:

Location: (E.g. 4.2 km north of Letaba on the H1-6)

Number of elephants in group:

General comments:

Details of images provided: (Please identify each print/slide/digital image by a clear name/number and provide separate information on each if appropriate)

Name:

Address and Postal Code:

Daytime telephone:

E-mail:

Post your images to:

Emerging Tuskers Project
Letaba Elephant Hall
Kruger National Park
Private Bag X402
Skukuza 1350
South Africa
Or email: tuskers@sanparks.org

Rules and requirements:

The competition is free and open to all members of the public.
We can accept prints, slides, digital images or digital videos. Please label each entry clearly. Do not write directly on the back of prints or staple them together. Please send duplicates as no material will be returned.
All information and photographs will be retained for research and education purposes. By entering the competition you agree to allow SANParks to use your material in printed and electronic form, for non-commercial purposes (photographers will be acknowledged).
All entries must be received by 31st December. Any material received after this date will automatically be submitted into the following year's competition.
Prize winners will be announced by 1st March the following year.
The same material may not be submitted to the competition more than once.
The winners will be chosen based on the scientific value of the photographs and information provided, and on the quality of the images.
The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
All prizes are subject to availability of accommodation and may therefore be offered out-of-season.
We reserve the right to change any of these rules or prizes at any time if deemed necessary.

Many thanks for contributing to our research on emerging tuskers!

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Frequently asked African Elephant questions

These are some of the most frequently asked questions posed at Letaba Elephant Hall. They are organized into the following sections:

Behaviour
Facts and figures
Tuskers/Ivory

If you have a question which is not included below, see if you can find the answer on one of the sites listed on our links page. If not, feel free to send us a question. If we can answer it, we will include the question and answer on this page.

Behaviour

Q. How long do elephants sleep for?

A. Elephants sleep for a total of 4-5 hours during a 24 hour period. They will normally sleep for a number of short periods rather than several hours in one go.

Q. Do elephants lie down to sleep?

A. Yes, elephants will sometimes sleep lying down. Since they can feel threatened when they are not standing up, they will usually only do this away from roads or other public areas.

Q. How much do African elephants eat, drink and excrete?

A. African elephants eat around 4-6% of their bodyweight per day. A large bull may eat up to 300 kg a day.
Only 44% of the food is assimilated and African elephants will excrete around 150 kg of dung each day.
An African elephant bull can drink up to 100 lt of water at a time, and 227 lt per day.

Q. What do African elephants eat?

A. Elephants are able to eat a range of different foods. Their physical size, tusks and trunk mean they can access potential food from ground level up to 6m in height. As well as eating grass they are able to pick up fruit, nuts and seeds. They can pull off leaves and strip bark. They may even break off branches and uproot whole shrubs and small trees. Diet depends on habitat and varies across seasons. In general, elephants will eat grasses in the rainy season and more woody plants in the dry season.

Q. Do elephant graveyards exist?

A. The idea that old elephants will seek out a secret area to lay down and die is a popular myth. It featured in the Tales of the Arabian Nights when Sinbad the Sailor was taken by a group of elephants to an area strewn with elephant bones. More recently, the idea was promoted in several Tarzan movies.

When an old elephant's last tooth wears down, it finds it difficult to chew food. In its last days it may stay in marshy areas where it can easily find soft vegetation. This means many elephants die in similar locations, often far away from the movements of the main herds.

Elephants also sometimes collect the bones of dead elephants and pile them together. This can give the appearance of a constructed graveyard.

Q. Do elephants mourn their dead?

A. Elephants have strong social bonds and good memories but it is now known whether they can experience grief in the same way as humans.

They certainly seem to have a fascination with their dead. They will approach carcasses, touching and smelling them and sometimes trying to revive them. Mothers have been seen carrying their dead babies around for several days. Elephants will investigate old bones, pick them up and move them around.

They are also known to cover their fallen comrades with branches and debris. Other dead animals, including lion or even trampled hunters, may also be treated in this way.

Q. How many young do African elephants have?

A. An African elephant cow may first conceive from the age of 9 -11 years and the gestation period is almost 2 years. The interval between subsequent births can be anywhere between 4 to 9 years depending on conditions such as drought or overcrowding. Birth rates peak during the rainy season when conditions are most favourable for the new calf. Twin births have been known but are rare.

Q. What is the gestation period of an African elephant?

A. The gestation period for African elephants is 22 months. By 3 months the ears, tail and trunk are present.

Q. Are African elephants territorial?

A. African elephants are not territorial but they have ‘home ranges' in which they tend to remain. Ranges vary with habitat and can be from 14–8,700 km2. In Kruger National Park, home ranges vary from 126-1000 km2.

Facts and Figures

Q. How many elephants are there in Kruger National Park?

A. The 2005 census gave a figure of 12,467 elephants within Kruger National Park. Of these 1,769 were lone bulls and 10,698 were sighted within breeding herds.

Q. How many African elephants are there in the wild?

A. The African Elephant Status Report published in 2002, gives an estimate of between 400,000 and 600,000 elephants throughout Africa.

Southern Africa is thought to have the highest number of elephants (estimated at 246-300,000) with Eastern Africa following (118-163,000). Estimated figures for Central Africa (16,500-196,000) are quite broad. West Africa (5,500-13,200) has the smallest and most fragmented population.

Q. How large are African elephants?

A. The largest elephant every recorded was 4m tall and weighed 12000 kg. It was shot in Angola in 1974. Its body is now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC.

Q. How fast can an African elephant run?

A. African elephants normally walk at around 6 km/h but can charge at 40 kmh/h.

Tuskers/Ivory

Q. Which is the biggest tusker in Kruger National Park?

A. The heaviest recorded ivory in the Kruger National Park belonged to Mandleve who died in 1993. His tusks weighed 69 and 73.5 kg each.

The longest ivory of any of the Magnificent Seven belonged to Shawu. His tusks measured 305 and 317 cm each. This is the longest ivory recorded in Southern Africa.

The largest current tusker is Duke, who can be seen around the Lower Sabie/Crocodile Bridge/Tshokwane area of Kruger. His tusks are thought to be even heavier than those of Mandleve.

Q. What is the biggest ivory in the world?

A. The heaviest tusk ever recorded weighed 117 kg. It originated from Benin and was exhibited in Paris in 1900. Its whereabouts is no longer known.

The heaviest pair of tusks known to be in existence weigh 102 kg and 107 kg each. They originated from near Mount Kilimanjaro in East Africa and are currently owned by the Natural History Museum in London.

The longest pair of tusks known to be in existence measure 335 cm and 349 cm each. They originate from the Eastern Congo and are currently owned by the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Bibliography

APPS: Smithers' Mammals of Southern Africa. A Field Guide, Struik, Cape Town, 2000

Blanc, Thouless, Hart et al: African Elephant Status Report 2002, The World Conservation Union, 2002

Bosman/Hall-Martin: The Magnificent Seven and the other great tuskers of the Kruger National Park, Human & Rousseau, Cape Town, 1994

Estes: The Behaviour Guide to African Mammals, The University of California Press, Berkeley, 1991 Wikipedia.com

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How to age an elephant

It is possible to make a rough estimate of an elephant's age from its physical size but this varies between individuals.

Open wide please!

The most reliable way to age an elephant is by looking at its teeth.

An elephant's molars, necessary for grinding up plant material, are replaced six times during its lifetime. These molars form at the back of the jaw, and move slowly forward and upward. Each set is gradually worn down and replaced by the next set. The replacement of these molars can be linked directly to age so, by identifying the molars in use, the age span of the elephant can be determined.

Molar set 1 age 0 - 2 years
Molar set 2 age 0 - 6 years
Molar set 3 age 1 - 15 years
Molar set 4 age 6 - 28 years
Molar set 5 age 18 - 43 years
Molar set 6 age 30 - 65 years

Once the sixth set has worn down, the animal is unable to chew food anymore and dies of starvation.

For more accurate calculations, scientists look at the exact position of the molars within the jaw. They also examine the dentine and cement on the roots of the teeth. New layers are laid down every year, so counting the number of layers on the molar can give a more precise age.

For more information see Richard Laws' classic paper:

Laws, R.M. (1966) Age criteria for the African elephant, Loxondonta africana africana. E. Afr. Wildl. J. 4,1-37.

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Counting elephants

How do we know how many elephants there are in Kruger National Park?

Kruger National Park is the size of a small country. It is home to a vast number of animals including thousands of elephants. How do we know how many there are? Many animals can be seen from public roads but there are large areas of the park which are impossible to access by vehicle. The only answer is to get a bird's eye view from the air.

For over forty years, the annual elephant air census has taken place in Kruger each winter. The pilot and observers spend several weeks flying through the park, counting every elephant they see. In some game surveys, scientists will only count animals in a small sample area and then draw conclusions about the amount of wildlife in a larger region. Kruger has always conducted a total count of all its elephants.

The count usually takes place in August or September when visibility is highest. There are few leaves on the trees, the grass is pale and dry and the skies are clear. In these conditions elephants may easily by seen up to 5km away.

Photo Left: Kruger's elephant scientist, Dr Ian Whyte, counts a herd of elephants from the air

Using a helicopter, observers are able to circle large herds. They may then see all the animals, including calves, in a group. The number of calves is recorded so that we can see how the population is developing. Three observers join the pilot so that they can watch from every side of the aircraft. One person records each elephant on a detailed map of the area. For large herds, photographs may also be taken to double-check figures when back on the ground.

Between them Simon Khoza and Obert Mathebula (Photo right) have provided ground support for Kruger's elephant census for almost a quarter of a century

In 2005, Kruger's elephant population was found to be 12,467. 1,769 were lone bulls and 10,698 were sighted within breeding herds.

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Tusks and ivory

Both male and female African elephants grow tusks. They have a variety of uses. They may be used to dig holes, rip up vegetation, strip bark from trees and lever heavy objects. They are also used for self-defence, and in aggressive attacks. Some animals can sometimes be seen resting their trunks on their tusks.

What are tusks?

Elephant tusks are upper incisor teeth, which grow very long. They are similar to human teeth, consisting of a central core of pulp, covered in dentine and encased in bone-like cementum. The internal dentine, making up 95% of the tusk, is the substance commonly referred to as ‘ivory'. It is a combination of mineral-based connective tissue and collagen proteins, making it very strong. Young elephants also have a layer of enamel at the very tip of their tusks but this is soon worn off and not replaced.

How do they grow?

At birth a small milk tooth, known as a ‘tush', is already in place. The full tusk grows behind this 5cm long tooth, breaking through at around one year old. As the tusks grow longer, ivory is formed within the central pulp cavity in the root and laid down in layers. Over time these layers form concentric circles similar to growth rings in trees.

These concentric lines can be seen clearly in a cross-section of a tusk. In addition, elephant and mammoth dentine has a characteristic cross-hatching pattern (also known as Lines of Schreger or engine-turnings) which can be used to identify ivory. This is not present in the tusks of other animals.

Tusks grow throughout an elephant's life although they may wear down or even break due to extensive use or major clashes. Many elephants favour one tusk over the other (effectively they are left- or right- tusked just as you are left- or right-handed). The most-used, or ‘master' tusk is usually shorter than the ‘servant' as it is worn-down by regular use. Often the most gentle bull elephants have the largest tusks in a population, as they are less likely to break them in a fierce clash.

About one quarter of the tusk is housed within the elephant's skull, which has developed in order to be able to bear the weight of these huge teeth.

Do other animals have ivory?

Animals such as walruses and warthogs have well-developed canine teeth which could be described as tusks. These are not generated in the same way as elephant tusks and the material is not as strong or as suitable for carving. Only elephant tusks have a cross-hatch pattern when viewed in cross-section, and the term ivory is generally only applied to this material.

Rhino horns are made from keratin, the same substance that is found in human hair and fingernails.

Ivory use

Ivory has always been valued by man as a decorative article. It is prized as an excellent material for carving. The Old Testament records that King Solomon ordered his throne to be made of ivory as long ago as 1000BC. The ancient Greeks and Romans also valued the substance.

The ivory trade peaked in the 19th century when ivory was considered a symbol of wealth and status. It was used to make buttons, brush handles, letter openers, fans, billiard balls, piano keys and statues. In the 1980s, Japan was the biggest consumer of ivory in the world. Much of it was used to carve personal signature stamps called hankos. Everyone in Japan needs a seal to do business and those made from ivory became a popular sign of high social rank.

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Elephants for Kids

Welcome to the fun part of Letaba Elephant Hall! You can discover some amazing elephant facts, play games or print some pictures to colour in. Enjoy!

What do you want to do? Click on one of the options below to:

Find out which tusker you are most like
Discover amazing elephant facts
Seek out the answers to our website treasure hunt
Complete an elephant wordsearch
Get colouring in pictures
Make an elephant mobile

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For Schools/Educators

Local school groups may gain free day access to the park if they attend an educational programme at Letaba's Elephant Hall. Bookings are taken for every day of the week except Sundays. Numbers are strictly limited during school holidays.

Programmes can be tailored to the needs of your school and can be offered in Afrikaans, English and Tsonga. Other languages may be available on request.

You will need to organise your own transport to Letaba and provide your own refreshments. We do not have an overnight facility for school groups. If you wish to stay overnight you must make arrangements to book standard tourist accommodation.

We allow up to 120 learners and 6 accompanying adults to attend for free. Any additional visitors will each need to pay the standard conservation fee at the entry gate

Please book well in advance by contacting one of our staff to discuss your needs:

People & Conservation Department
Letaba Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
Private Bag X402
Skukuza 1350

Tel: 013 735 6664
Fax: 013 735 6662

Before calling, please make sure you have the following information available:

Information about your school
Number of learners you wish to bring to the park
Number of accompanying adults
What language would you like us to conduct the programme in?
Grade/s of learners
Are you teaching any relevant topics at school (e.g. biology, environment etc.)?
Does your community suffer from any environmental problems (e.g. bush fires, erosion, littering, pollution etc.)?
Are there any specific topics you would like us to cover (e.g. biodiversity, ecology, elephants)?
Date you wish to attend (with alternative dates in case we are fully-booked on that day)
The entry gate you will be using to come into the park (Phalaborwa is the closest to us)

Educational Resources:

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Elephant-related websites

If you are interested in finding out more about elephant research and conservation, the ivory trade or the Magnificent Seven, you may find the following websites useful starting points. SANParks does not explicitly endorse the work of any of these organizations and takes no responsibility for the quality of content found on these sites.

Elephant research and conservation

African Elephant Bibliography: Comprehensive listing of over 4,500 references

African Elephant Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) provides a range of technical resources for elephant conservation and management including an extensive bibliography and a peer-reviewed journal, Pachyderm

African Wildlife Foundation's elephant conservation programme

Amboseli Elephant Research Project: Kenya's long-running project, set up by Cynthia Moss over 30 years ago.

Savanna Elephant Vocalization Project aims to give easy access to years of field studies related to elephant communication.

The Ivory Trade

CITES' Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS)

CITES' Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) project

Magnificent Seven

Alan Ainslie's sculptures of the Magnificent Seven

Paul Bosman's celebrated portraits of the Magnificent Seven