African Elephant

Loxodonta africana

The African elephant is one of our favourite animals, and every encounter we have with them is special and memorable. There’s just something so majestic in the confident swagger of the big bulls, so tender in the loving care of the cows and so playful in the antics of the calves.

Mature bulls weigh up to 6000kg and stand as high as 4m at the shoulder, while cows measure up to 3.4m high and weigh up to 4000kg. The forest elephant of Central Africa, a different race to those occuring here in South Africa, are much smaller.

Such a soulful eye…

Ivory up close

Elephant whiskers

Mature elephant bull

Elephant cow and calf

Elephant breakfast

Big bull standing tall at Lismore waterhole

Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom

Elephant bull on the Gomondwane Loop

Addo’s Tusker Derek (2017/12/26)

Elephant’s Tail

Elephant’s tail

Elephant bull

The herd is the core of elephant society, and comprises an older, experienced, dominant female or matriarch, her sisters and daughters, and their calves of varying ages. Sometimes these smaller family units join up with others to create massive congregations of 200 or more animals. Elephants are active throughout the day and night, resting in the shade only during the hottest hours of the day, usually near water. Their intelligence is legendary and the close bonds between herd members, who look after their sick and dying kin as much as they can, has always been an inspiration to humans.

Herd rushing to water

Playtime!

Elephant cows in Addo are mostly tuskless

Elephant herd crossing a road in Kruger Park

On the road in Pilanesberg National Park

Crossing the wide, sandy Letaba River

A tusk can be a useful resting place for a tired trunk

Elephants love playing in water, even big bulls like this

Elephants drinking at De La Porte waterhole

Crossing the Sabie

Elephants claiming the right of way

Wary elephant trio

Big elephant herd feeding in a reedbed

Another herd of elephants arriving at Hapoor

Elephants everywhere you look (Hapoor)

The next day, as we passed Hapoor, the elephants were getting together again

Elephant family

Herd of elephants on the dry plains south of Olifants

Protective elephant herd

Thirsty herd of elephants rushing to the water

Elephant crossing

Elephant mock-charge

Elephant youngster

Addo Elephants

Elephant cresting a hill

Elephant herd on the move

Mature bulls are mostly solitary, or accompanied by younger bulls known as “askaris”, and maintain a dominance hierarchy through threat displays and fights that would sometimes lead to the death of one of the combatants. After being forced from their maternal herds at the onset of puberty, around 15 years of age, bulls will only join up with the breeding herds again temporarily to mate.

Impressive bull

Mature elephant bull

Elephant bull

Scratching an itchy ear

Mature bull exuding confidence

Play fighting

Drinking at Tembe

Splish-splash

Three big bulls walking in single file along a road in the Pilanesberg

Elephant in a downpour

Dominant bull striding up to welcome a newly arrived family group at Hapoor

Elephant bull on the way to Orpen

Here elephants have right of way!

Elephant bull

Tired old elephant bull crossing the road

Elephant

Addo Elephants

Addo’s Tusker Derek (2017/12/26)

Addo Elephants

Elephant bull enjoying a puddle near Mopani

Elephants on the way to Phalaborwa Gate

Unknown Kruger Tusker (2018/03/21)

Elephant near Mopani

Elephant bull owning the road in Kruger National Park

Big old elephant bull

Elephant drinking from a reservoir

Elephant along the stream

Elephant drinking at Bhejane

Big elephant bull in musth

Old Elephant bull on the S145 near Talamati

Elephants are able to inhabit any habitat that has sufficient food, water and shade – they occur from the Namib Desert to Africa’s equatorial forests. They are big ecological drivers and a crucial component of the ecosystems in which they occur, having an immense impact on their environment. Their seemingly destructive feeding habits serves to prevent bush encroachment and provides niche habitats for a wide variety of smaller fauna. Consuming up to 300kg of plant material per day, the copious amounts of dung (about 100kg of dung per animal per day!) they produce provide an important source of food for a myriad of small animals, birds and insects. Elephants are not particularly fussy about what they eat and include herbs, grass, reeds, leaves, seeds, pods, bark, roots and branches in their diet, but they are rather fond of mopane trees and mlala palms.

In the hot African sun any shade will do!

Big Elephant Bull in contemplative mood

Baby Ellie

Elephant bull at Mestel Dam

Elephant herd quenching their thirst at Shitlhave Dam

Elephant youngster enjoying a snack while crossing the road

Elephant calf (Photo by Joubert)

Thirsty Tusker (Photo by Joubert)

Two Elephant bulls marching into the distance (Photo by Joubert)

Elephant warning (Photo by Joubert)

Elephant herd on the run to Red Rocks (Photo by Joubert)

Elephant Calf (Photo by Joubert)

Elephant Bull (Photo by Joubert)

Sunset elephants in the Shingwedzi (Photo by Joubert)

Elephants gathering in their numbers along the dwindling waterholes in the drying Mphongolo River

Elephant roadblock

Elephant bulls sharing a waterhole

Elephant cow with interestingly shaped ivory

Beautiful elephant bull

Elephant bull destroying a small tree

Cute elephant calf

Beautiful elephant bull

Elephant calf fast asleep

Tiny ellie baby

Big old elephant bull

Classically shaped ivory

Elephant calf

Elephant herd moving along a dry river

Elephant herd running to the water

Elephant tussle

Elephant cow drinking at Red Rocks

Big elephant bull in musth

Elephants arriving at Tlopi’s dam

Elephant

Elephant cow that’s had enough to drink now

Matriarch of her herd

Taking that first step across the stream

Big Bull (photo by Joubert)

Big Bull

During times of drought, elephants will dig wells in apparently dry river beds, thus providing water not only for themselves but also for all other wildlife in the vicinity. An adult elephant requires between 150 and 300 liters of drinking water daily. After years of continuous use, elephant mudbaths are enlarged and transformed into pans and waterholes that hold water for extended periods into the dry season. Several of South Africa’s passes were built along tracks used by countless generations of elephants to cross our mountains.

A well dug by elephants in a dry streambed

Thanks to their trunk elephants have excellent reach when browsing

Marula tree damaged by a foraging elephant

Digging for roots

The trunk is so versatile!

Elephant breakfast

A lone bull drinking from the trough at Peasland

Elephant calf

Elephant

Elephant digging for roots using its foot and trunk

Addo Elephants

Elephant at Rathlogo

This elephant cow didn’t appreciate our presence one bit, even though we gave her plenty of space!

Elephant teenager showing off!

Elephant visiting us at Thutong one night (caught on our camera-trap)

Elephant cows give birth to single calves (twins are extremely rare) at any time of year, after a 22-month gestation period. The calves weigh about 120kg at birth an can stand within an hour of being born. They are weaned at the age of two years, by which time they’ve become quite adept at using their trunks to feed and drink water.

Tiny elephant calf

Baby elephant threat display

Fits neatly under mom’s belly.

So small and cute

Didn’t realize mom has moved on 😉

Only a few days old

So small and cute

Playful elephant youngsters

Elephant Cow and Calf

Elephant friends

More cows and calves at Hapoor

Very thirsty calf running for the water

Tiny calf staying close to mom at Spekboom

Calf suckling at Marion Baree waterhole

Protective cow at Lismore waterhole

Elephant calf

This little elephant was probably less than a day old and very unsteady on his feet

Tiny new herd member

Old matriarch

Baby elephant show-off

Seymore Butts

Baby Elephant Naptime at Addo

Addo Elephants

Testing the wind

Tiny baby next to mom

Young elephant interactions

Elephant cow

Baby elephants fast asleep in the heat while the rest of the herd stand guard

Big Elephant herd at Makorwane

Baby elephant friends

Baby elephant

Laughing Elephant calf

Elephant cow and calf

Playful Baby Elephants

Baby elephants playing in the mud

Cute little elephant testing the air

Helping a reluctant friend cross the stream

Learning by imitating the grown-ups

Shaking off the dust from his ears (photo by Joubert)

This grass is so soft to lie on!

Young elephant trying to chase away the birds at the water’s edge

Practicing her balance! (photo by Joubert)

Making a splash

Arriving at the water’s edge

Ears peaked in irritation (photo by Joubert)

Ears peaked in irritation

Ears peaked in irritation (photo by Joubert)

Tiny youngster crossing next to mom

Tiny youngster crossing next to mom (photo by Joubert)

Tiny youngster crossing next to mom

South Africa’s wild places is home to several “Big Tuskers“; elephant bulls carrying exceptionally long and heavy ivory. Many of them are named, and become tourist attractions in their own right; living monuments to South Africa’s proud conservation history. The longest tusks recorded in South Africa, 3.05m and 3.17m, belonged to Shawu, a tusker from the Kruger National Park that became famous as one of the “Magnificent Seven” in the 1970’s and ’80’s. The heaviest belonged to Mandleve, who died in 1993 and was also from Kruger, with a combined weight of over 142kg.

Isilo of Tembe

Masbambela (of Kruger)

Tusker Masthulele, Kruger National Park

Unknown Kruger Tusker (2018/04/02)

Hahlwa (2018/04/01)

Yet to be identified Kruger Tusker

Ngwenya (24/09/2019)

Being one of Africa’s famed “Big 5“, elephants are a sought-after species for anyone visiting wildlife reserves where they occur. However, elephants are extremely dangerous and should be treated with the utmost respect. They can charge at speeds of between 40 and 50km/h, much faster than any human can run. Bulls in musth, a heightened state of aggressiveness fueled by elevated testosterone levels that drives their urge to mate and fight for dominance, are very irritable and will charge without much provocation. Mothers are extremely protective of their calves and you should never find yourself between a cow and her offspring. It is always best when viewing elephants to give them plenty of space and pay attention to any warning signs they may give: a head held high, ears held wide open, trunk tucked under the body, shaking the head and ears are all signs that you are too close and need to move away fast.

Mock charge!

Lucky escape!

In playful mood

Better get a move on!

Showing off

Stretching

Agitated due to invisible lions

Showing off

If he chose to, this bull in the Pilanesberg could easily reach someone in the viewing hide.

Just a little irritated

Testing their strength

Elephant Bull (photo by Joubert)

Elephant youngsters testing their mettle

Elephant youngster

Big old elephant bull

Elephant tussle

Elephants at Welverdiend waterhole

Elephant drinking at Spekboom waterhole

Another cute elephant calf

Elephant cow and calf

Sleepy elephants

One of the elephants that Addo is famous for

The future is secure for Addo’s elephants

Big elephant bull being very protective of a youngster at the Marion Baree waterhole

Elephant walking side-by-side with us

Elephant antics at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)

Mom and baby elephant at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)

Elephants congregating at Leeupan

Elephant antics at Leeupan (photo by Joubert)

Elephant wiping dust from its eye (photo by Joubert)

Elephant stretching to reach ripe Sycomore figs (photo by Joubert)

Elephant conductor (photo by Joubert)

Elephant coming to drink from Mlondozi Dam

Elephant matriarch with impressive tusks

Elephant munching on a thorny branch

Elephants congregating in a dry river bed

Elephants congregating in a dry river bed (photo by Joubert)

Adult elephants have little to fear from other animals, and lions and spotted hyenas are the only predators that realistically pose a threat to calves and juveniles. Most elephants succumb to fights, sickness, drought or old age. Old elephants spend most of their time feeding on green, soft vegetation along watercourses, due to them having worn our their last set of molars at about the age of 55 years, finding it increasingly difficult to feed on harder plant material. They then eventually die in these areas, possibly giving rise to the myth of an elephant graveyard.

Trio of pied kingfishers sharing an elephant bone

The Kruger National Park protects South Africa’s biggest elephant population, and they are also a familiar sight in the Addo Elephant National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Pilanesberg National Park and Tembe Elephant Park. Smaller populations have also been established on several other state and private reserves. The tiny population in the Knysna Forests in the Garden Route National Park has fascinated South Africans for decades, with lots of speculation and theories about just how many continue to roam there.

Elephant cow

Elephant cow and tiny calf

Elephant cow

Unknown Kruger Tusker (21/09/2019)

Thirsty Elephant (photo by Joubert)

Elephant bull (photo by Joubert)

Elephant procession

Elephant Bull

Elephants digging wells in a sandy riverbed

Elephants seeking shade during the midday heat

Elephant bull

Elephants at Gudzani Dam

Elephant cow and calf

Elephant sunrise

Elephants

Elephant Bull

Elephant shy of the spotlight

Elephants have right of way

Elephants

Elephant herd at Mazithi Dam

Elephant bull

Elephant Bulls

Elephant bull blocking our way

Herd of elephants

Elephant in the greenery

Elephant

Elephant Bull

Elephant at Orpen Gate

Today, elephants in Africa and Asia are faced with the threats of escalating poaching, habitat loss and various other conflicts with humans. With an estimated 100 African elephants killed daily for the illegal ivory trade in Asian markets, their population is in rapid decline. World Elephant Day was launched on August 12th, 2012, to bring attention to the plight of these iconic animals, and has been observed annually since.

Elephant along Tshepe Drive

63 thoughts on “African Elephant”

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vocabulary|in|chunks August 22, 2015 at 9:01 pm

Exquisite!

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 23, 2015 at 4:51 am
  
  Thanks very much! They certainly are very special animals.
  
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aj vosse August 14, 2015 at 11:46 am

Weer eens ‘n les van die beste!! Dankie. EEn feit wat ek nooit van gehoor het ne is die een van waar passe gebou was. Dit maak sin en laat mens dink aan hoe slim daai groot grys jasse rerig is!! 🙂

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 14, 2015 at 8:08 pm
  
  Ek is bly ons kon jou ook iets nuuts wysmaak, dankie AJ!
  
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sonyaliraphotography August 13, 2015 at 1:08 pm

I have always loved Elephants I think it’s the kindness in their eyes and their size that draws me to them. You have some beautiful pictures and you did a wonderful job capturing these beautiful creatures.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 4:46 pm
  
  Thanks a lot Sonya! They certainly are very charismatic animals, and even we can’t get enough of them.
  
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  1. sonyaliraphotography August 13, 2015 at 11:28 pm
    
    I would not be able to get enough of them either they are my favorite wild animal.
    
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Linda Arthur Tejera August 13, 2015 at 1:47 am

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again — MAGNIFICENT CREATURES! 🙂

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:51 am
  
  We agree entirely Linda!
  
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colonialist August 13, 2015 at 12:11 am

I’m not entirely convinced that the elephant graveyard thing is a myth – they have shown themselves to be aware of mortality and death.
Dangerous they certainly are. I remember one in Gorongosa taking a dislike to our car and going into full charge. Have you ever heard how badly an engine whines when doing over 30KPH in reverse? I just hoped it wouldn’t seize up from over-revving before the elephant ran out of breath.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:50 am
  
  Few things on earth as terrifying as an elephant charge! And sometimes they seem to quite enjoy a bit of mischievous toying with the vehicles passing through their home ranges…
  
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  1. colonialist August 13, 2015 at 9:54 am
    
    Mischief isn’t that bad, but this guy was really cross about something!
    
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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 4:42 pm
      
      And that’s a pretty scary situation to be in!
      
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Amy August 12, 2015 at 8:57 pm

Thank you so much for this special post! Such an awesome, intelligent creature.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:47 am
  
  Awesome and intelligent they certainly are, thanks Amy!
  
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sustainabilitea August 12, 2015 at 6:16 pm

When I saw it was National Elephant Day, I instantly thought of you. Marvelous post and amazing photos.

janet

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:47 am
  
  Thank you so very much Janet!
  
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Beauty Along the Road August 12, 2015 at 5:42 pm

What a thorough write-up. You clearly care a lot for these amazing animals. I hope I’ll get a chance to see them in the wild one day.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:45 am
  
  Thank you Annette! Indeed, we can’t imagine South Africa’s wild places without elephants. We’ll hold thumbs with you that you’ll get a chance to experience Africa’s elephants in their natural habitat, it is an experience you’ll never forget.
  
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kathydoremus August 12, 2015 at 2:12 pm

Wow! You have some amazing shots here. I love the one of the close up of the eye.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:43 am
  
  Thank you Kathy! They’re one of our favourite animals, so the cameras go mad when we encounter them out in the wild 😉
  
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neihtn2012 August 12, 2015 at 2:10 pm

I learned a lot about elephants from reading your post. Thank you!

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:42 am
  
  Thank you for the kind contribution, Hien!
  
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perdebytjie August 12, 2015 at 1:31 pm

So pragtig uiteengesit,Dries!
As mens hier lees,waardeer mens die olifante sommer baie meer.Hulle is darem wonderlike diere.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:42 am
  
  Baie dankie Dina! Olifante’s beslis van ons gunsteling diere, en amper elke ontmoeting met hulle is iets om te onthou!
  
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wild life photos August 12, 2015 at 9:50 am

great photos – of surely great moments!!!!

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:37 am
  
  Thank you Matthias! Absolutely, some elephant encounters remain etched in our memories for years!
  
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Boeta: RumblingOcean, Photofun blogs August 12, 2015 at 5:33 am

Fantastic post. Baie goed bymekaar gesit…so baie ontmoetings met hulle.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:34 am
  
  Baie dankie Boeta! Ons geniet dit vreeslik om olifante te besigtig. Julle seker ook, met die dat Addo so naby is?
  
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  1. Boeta: RumblingOcean, Photofun blogs August 13, 2015 at 5:00 am
    
    Jip.
    
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nowathome August 12, 2015 at 5:19 am

ongelooflike groot diere! Pragtige foto’s!

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:33 am
  
  Groot en mooi, ne Aletta!?
  
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  1. nowathome August 13, 2015 at 7:21 am
    
    ja, pragtig!!
    
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Mama Cormier August 12, 2015 at 4:45 am

Such amazing animals. Thanks for the interesting facts and wonderful photos.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 5:34 am
  
  Thank you for your visit and very kind contribution to our blog, Mama Cormier!
  
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steveo August 12, 2015 at 3:28 am

Great info and photos! Thanks.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:29 am
  
  Thanks very much Steve!
  
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M.Winter August 12, 2015 at 3:16 am

First picture is amazing! The elephant looked like it was popping out (probably more ‘charging’) of the picture!
And the baby elephant’s threat display was just too cute. Do they (baby ones)really make squeaky noises like how they’re portrayed in movies?

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:27 am
  
  Thanks Maida! The bull in the featured image had us reversing for quite a few kilometers, laying claim to the road 😉
  
  The babies are surprisingly very vocal, and make a range of “screaming” high-pitched noises – practicing their trumpeting I suppose 😉
  
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  1. M.Winter August 12, 2015 at 6:30 am
    
    Oh so it’s you who nearly jumped out! Out your skins!
    Maybe the babies get excited seeing other creatures (meaning us humans).
    
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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 13, 2015 at 3:36 am
      
      That’s quite possible Maida – elephants are very intelligent and shows considerable interest in the world around them!
      
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loisajay August 12, 2015 at 2:46 am

Beautiful creatures; beautiful post.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:23 am
  
  They are spectacular Lois, thank you!
  
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Patti Ross August 12, 2015 at 1:50 am

Just wonderful. I am contemplating a post for Elephant Day as well, but I know I have very few photos–i just love the gentle giants. Thanks for this great collage of photos and all the info.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:23 am
  
  Thank you very much Patti – I’ll keep a lookout for your Elephant Day post!
  
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true2crusader August 12, 2015 at 1:39 am

Thank you for a great lesson and the wonderful pictures.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:22 am
  
  Thank you for spending some of your time with us guys!
  
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maamej August 12, 2015 at 12:31 am

Lovely pics and good info. Interesting about the elephant ‘graveyard’ – I’d heard of them but never knew there was a particular reason for it.

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:22 am
  
  Thank you Maamej, glad to know we could share something new with you!
  
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anotherday2paradise August 12, 2015 at 12:31 am

Amazing photos!! Such HUGE creatures. 🙂

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1. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 12, 2015 at 3:21 am
  
  Thanks Sylvia! They are simply magnificent, aren’t they?
  
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