In the presence of majesty
It’s mid-afternoon at Tembe Elephant Park, and we’re watching a number of elephant bulls milling around Mahlasela Pan. Occasionally the peaceful scene is disturbed by two or more of the younger bulls mock-fighting and testing one another’s strength with heads held high and tusks and trunks interlocked, sending nervous nyalas and impalas running for cover…
Slowly, royally, a magnificent tusker moves out from behind a clump of bushes to drink from the pan. The day before, when our guide Patrick asked us what we’d most like to see at Tembe I was very quick in replying “Isilo please!”. And now, perched in the game-viewing vehicle, we’re speechlessly admiring South Africa’s biggest living tusker – a wish granted, a prayer answered. We’re looking upon one of the most awesome animals in all creation and nothing could wipe the smile from our faces.
Isilo. “The King”. What an apt name.
We watch enthralled as Isilo moves around the pan, stopping often to quench what must be a massive thirst. The old gentleman is looking frail; at an estimated sixty years of age, he’d be having trouble eating the woody vegetation that has sustained him all his life. His tusks must weigh about 60 kilograms each, and in excess of 2.5 meters in length – what a strain it must be on the neck to keep those massive ivory pillars from scraping on the ground as he moves. Yet there’s no feeling of pity. This is the King!
Taking his leave now of the pan and the younger company around it, Isilo ambles westwards into the woodland. We follow alongside, hoping to spend as much time in his audience as he will allow. Occasionally he stops to enjoy a tender creeper or succulent young shoot.
My heart skips a beat as Isilo turns towards us, moving ever closer, gently and peacefully passing within touching distance of the admiring humans in the game-viewing vehicle. No one says a word. There’s no need to; the expressions on our faces tell the full story.
As we follow a while, Isilo slowly walking along the sandy track into the sunset, there’s no denying that we’ve spent a tiny fraction of our lives in the presence of majesty. Sala kahle Isilo. Stay well.
We went to Tembe Elephant Park in search of Isilo, and it was every bit the exhilarating experience we had hoped it would be. But Tembe turned out to be so much more: have a read here for more of our impressions of this South African treasure.
If you’re interested in South Africa’s big tuskers, you can see more pictures of these magnificent animals, from the Kruger National Park this time, here and here.
DeWetsWild 
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Hi Dries and family,
Today I had an email in my inbox from Tembe elephant Park regarding a documentary in the making by James Currie, Johan Marais and Tom Mahamba; a conservation movie about the last of the world’s remaining big Tuskers. It covers the life of Isilo, an animal we’ve always wanted to see. Just looking back at your stunning pictures now – how lucky you were!!!
For if you’re interested more info on this on: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tuskersmovie/last-of-the-big-tuskers
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High-time the big tuskers and their plight get some publicity, Maurice! Our encounters with Isilo, Masbambela, Masthulele and many other big elephant bulls remain some of our most cherished wildlife experiences.
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After having read this, I can now truly understand why Isilo’s death was such a big loss. It must have been a humbling and moving experience for you that day to have encountered this majestic creature. Such reverence. Thank you for sharing this de Wets Family.
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Thanks Raroto. Seeing isilo will remain one of our most memorable wildlife encounters.
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Being in the presence of any large tusker is so special, these encounters will forever remain entrenched in your memories.
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Magnificent tuskers like Isilo are, to us anyway, the ultimate living monuments Derek
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Such a beautifully written tale of a truly magical experience! I definitely need to go meet The King now Dries.
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Thank you for the kind compliment Lize! Meeting Isilo was a most memorable experience!
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Wow, what an amazing experience.
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Memorable! Thanks P J B!
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Incredible – lucky you! We saw so many elephants in Africa and were enthralled with them all but this one — OH MY!
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Isilo really is magnificent, isn’t he Tina?
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Die ou baas!! Lovely post as always from the de Wet family. You never fail to totally enthrall and draw us in with your love of wild Africa. Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
Joey
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Thank you dear Joey! We hope that you and Marks are also having an enjoyable Florida weekend?
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June is the official start of hurricane season here. The weather turned really humid and feels stormy. I was sad to lose one of the birds that regularly comes to the bird feeder yesterday. I found it stunned and was hoping that it would recover but when I went back to check on it, it had passed on…..very sad. I love all my fish, birds and animals. But, other than that sadness, we are having an enjoyable weekend.
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I like that the King has a name: Isilo. He has a majestic presence, indeed.
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Thanks Annette! I think it’s a beautiful tradition we have of naming these enigmatic animals.
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Life changing experience. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for visiting and for the lovely comment Donna!
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Wonderful. Wonderful experience. How lucky you are to meet Isilo. He is an elegant old gentleman. Those tusks look mighty weighty.
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Oh Rosemarie, we’ll carry the memory with us for ever!
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